Author: Bryan Passifiume

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OTTAWA — The frontrunner in the federal Liberal leadership race urged shareholders to support his company’s relocation from Canada to New York City months before he resigned from his job, the Conservatives accuse.

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During a Wednesday morning press conference in the foyer of West Block, Conservative Ethics Critic Michael Barrett and Quebec Lieutenant Pierre Paul-Hus accused Carney of being untruthful about when he resigned from the board of Brookfield Asset Management, and his role in the company’s decision to divest itself from Canada to the United States.

“Last night, Mark Carney lied to Canadians” Barrett claimed. “He lied to Canadians, saying that Brookfield Asset Management only moved their headquarters from Canada to Donald Trump’s hometown of New York City after he had resigned from the board.”

Brookfield, Barrett maintains, announced their departure from Canada on Oct. 31, which Barrett says proves that Carney lied about not having a say in the decision.

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Carney officially resigned from his executive positions in mid-January.

At the news conference, Barrett presented a letter to Brookfield shareholders on Dec. 1 regarding the move, signed by Carney.

“This is just days after Donald Trump had threatened Canada for the first time with unjustified tariffs,” Barrett said.

“The letter says that the decision by the board, of which Mark Carney was at that time chair, was unanimous to move the headquarters and Canadian jobs to Donald Trump’s hometown of New York City.”

The letter, Barrett continued, urges Brookfield shareholders to support the move.

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“This is not surprising, but it is extraordinary to have Mark Carney stand before Canadians and in response to media questions to lie,” he said.

“It’s now more important than ever that he disclose all of his financial interests and conflicts of interest, knowing that he’s been advising the Liberals and Justin Trudeau for five years and not disclosing what his interests were to this point.”

In response, a statement from the Carney campaign accused the Conservatives of a desperate smear campaign.

“Pierre Poilievre is scared of running against Mark Carney, and he’s desperate to misrepresent Mark’s serious experience in business because he has no economic experience whatsoever,”” the statement read.

“Brookfield Asset Management remains one of the largest investors in Canada. It continues to list on the Toronto Stock Exchange and its parent company, Brookfield Corp., continues to be headquartered in Toronto.”

The statement said the changes proposed were technical in nature, and that Brookfield clearly stated that its Canadian operations would not be impacted.

“Mr. Carney has resigned from all professional or advisory roles, and will continue to focus on his plan to make Canada the fastest-growing economy in the G7,” the statement continued.

bpassifiume@postmedia.com
X: @bryanpassifiume

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