Mark Carney has been appointed to chair a new task force on economic growth and says he has no intention of replacing the prime minister or running as an MP in the next federal election.
Carney spoke during a media event this morning {Tuesday} where he faced questions on whether being appointed to the role by the government would be a prelude to something more, and how Canadians should perceive this appointment.
He says despite the plummeting polls he is not serving the government he is serving the country and that is what prime minister Justin Trudeau has asked.
“I will serve to the best of my ability, and I am interested in helping our country grow,” Carney says. “I am interested in doing something, not being something, and this is a decisive time for our economy.
“These issues have to be tackled head on, and I am honoured to be part of it.”
With issues of the economy on the minds of Canadians across the country, and the threat of an election looming, Carney says he was chosen to help the economy.
“Those who think about our future are currently seized with the issues,” he says. “The question is, how do you translate these ideas and the best policies to move forward.”
Carney previously served as the Governor for the Bank of Canada and he says acting in a capacity to serve the government should not be construed as a conflict of interest because he is an outsider.
“I am providing a perspective, and gathering opinions from interested Canadians on the best possible growth strategy that puts people first and grows the economy,” Carney adds.
Rumours have been circulating across the country about Carney being a replacement for Trudeau, if the caucus votes to have a leadership review, but he says what matters isn’t about what happens in government rather than what happens outside the walls at Parliament Hill.
“It’s not a party, individual, but rather what happens on the ground,” he says. “This is where I can help right now to move our country forward if we seize it.”
Trudeau is expected to answer questions tomorrow in Nanaimo at the Vancouver Island Convention Centre.
