Federal Offices Paid Over $23K to Think Tank Chaired by Mark Carney: Report

Mark Carney, a former governor of the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, in a file photo. (The Canadian Press)

A number of federal offices paid a total of over $23,000 over more than three years to a think tank chaired by former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney, according to a report.

The Liberal cabinet in an Inquiry of Ministry tabled in the House of Commons said that 11 separate federal departments and agencies paid the Ottawa-based non-profit organization Canada 2020 $23,592 in sponsorships and conference fees between Jan. 1, 2019, and Oct. 26, 2022, according to Blacklock’s Reporter.

The figures were requested by Conservative MP Laila Goodridge.

“With regard to government interactions with and expenditures related to Canada 2020, since January 1, 2019, broken down by department, agency, Crown corporation, or other government entity ... what are the details of all expenditures?” she asked in the House on Dec. 13, 2022.

Carney, who is Canada 2020’s advisory board chairman, served as the Bank of Canada’s governor between 2008 and 2013 and was also the Bank of England’s governor from 2013 to 2020.

Braeden Caley, Canada 2020’s executive director, was previously the senior director of communications for the federal Liberal Party and also filled “key roles on Justin Trudeau’s federal election campaigns in 2015, 2019, and 2021,” and has advised “a number of senior federal Parliamentarians,” according to his profile on Canada 2020’s website.

The Department of Agriculture accounted for most payments by federal offices to Canada 2020 by giving more than $13,400 to the organization. The Department of Health paid nearly $3,000 and the Finance Department gave just over $2,500.

The Inquiry also gave some details on payments by federal offices for members attending Canada 2020 meetings, but did not mention unpaid appearances by cabinet members at any meetings.

Canada 2020

Founded in 2006, Canada 2020 describes itself as a “leading, independent progressive think-tank” that “produces original research, hosts events and starts conversations about Canada’s future.”

Its stated objective is to “build a community of progressive ideas and people that will move and shape governments.”

Partners of the organization include companies like General Electric, Interac, Mastercard, Google, and Amazon.

Canada 2020 announced Carney as its advisory board chair in May 2022.

“It’s time to come together and harness the power of markets to serve all Canadians—so that value serves our values,” Carney said at the time, adding that Canada 2020 “will play a central role in how we shape that better future for all.”