Mark Carney’s Major Projects Office won’t disclose firms supplying staff, lacks independent conflict oversight - Toronto Star
Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre suggested in question period that the arrangement opens the door to obvious conflict of interest.
The head of the federal government’s Major Projects Office Dawn Farrell speaks as Prime Minister Mark Carney, looks on at an announcement of major projects in Edmonton on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025.
OTTAWA — The Carney government’s Major Projects Office (MPO) is borrowing workers from financial institutions, energy companies and construction firms, but it won’t disclose which companies are involved or how much of the salaries those private firms are covering.
The office says employees must disclose potential conflicts of interest and are barred from working on files where conflicts may arise. But unlike MPO CEO Dawn Farrell, their disclosure reviews are handled internally by the MPO and the Privy Council Office, rather than by the federal Ethics Commissioner.
Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre raised the issue in the House of Commons Tuesday and said in question period that it was an obvious conflict of interest.
“I have no doubt that corporate power brokers would simultaneously like to get a paycheque from a company and then go work for the regulator that approves that company’s applications. Too bad that kind of arrangement doesn’t work out for single moms, seniors, and small businesses that can’t afford to eat,” he said.
Speaking late Tuesday night at a parliamentary committee looking at the government’s recent designation of the Alberta pipeline and a B.C. port as being in the national interest, Minister Dominic LeBlanc — who is ultimately responsible for the MPO — said disclosing the companies involved would only lead to an artificial “gotcha moment,” which would ignore that everyone working for the office has to abide by federal rules.
“I think we’ve got to be careful not to cast aspersions on either the companies or the individuals that are participating,” he said.
Tax breaks, faster project approvals and less red tape win praise from industry leaders. Labour and economists say their priorities are overlooked.
