Carney faces criticism for not disclosing asset values

Prime Minister Mark Carney did not disclose the value of his financial assets in a blind trust during a press conference in London on March 17, 2025. This has raised concerns among critics who are calling for immediate transparency regarding his finances. During the press conference, Mr. Carney was questioned about potential conflicts of interest related to his financial holdings. He insisted that he has followed all the rules set by the Ethics Commissioner. Carney noted that he had completed the necessary steps well in advance of the required deadlines. He is expected to trigger a federal election this week. Under the Conflict of Interest Act, officials must report their financial interests within 60 days of taking office and make some information public within 120 days. Critics argue that Canadians deserve to know about any potential conflicts before the election. Conservative MP Michael Barrett challenged Carney’s refusal to disclose details, suggesting he may be hiding important financial interests. Carney's team stated that he currently only holds cash and real estate outside of the blind trust. However, the specific value of the assets and which ones were divested have not been made public. Barrett urged Carney to clarify his relationship with Brookfield Asset Management and other investments. Advocates like Duff Conacher expressed skepticism about blind trusts. He argued that they do not effectively prevent conflicts of interest since the politicians know what assets they include. The public awaits more information from Carney on his financial dealings as the election approaches.