It’s been less than a week since Prime Minister Mark Carney officially took office, and he’s already facing tough questions from the media, seemingly pushing back when questioned if his assets hold any conflicts of interest.
The remarks were made during his recent trip to London, England to meet with Prime Minister Kier Starmer for bilateral talks.
Carney, who worked in the private sector for many years before entering politics, appeared defensive when the CBC’s Rosemary Barton questioned if his assets could create any conflict of interests.
“Are you saying you are not open to any conflict of interest, as someone who spent most of his time and life in the private sector?” Barton said. “There’s no possible conflict of interest in your assets? That’s very difficult to believe.”
@nowtoronto Prime Minister Mark Carney is receiving some criticism for how he responded to CBC journalist Rosemary Barton's question on if he has any conflicts of interest from his time working in the private sector. What do you think of his answer? #cdnpoli #MarkCarney ♬ original sound – Now Toronto
Carney pushed back in his reply to the veteran news anchor.
“Look into yourself Rosemary,” he said. “You start from a prior of conflict and ill will, I have served in the private sector, I have stood up for Canada, I have left my roles in the private
sector, at a time of crisis for our country, I’m complying with all the rules, your line of questioning is trying to invent new rules.”
Carney reassured that he is complying with the rules that Parliament laid out and responsibilities of the ethics commissioner.
Social media users were quick to call out Carney for his response and handling of the question, some even calling the response “condescending.”
“It’s a very legitimate question… He got defensive & handled the question very poorly. If anything this response casts more doubt when he had a route to try & be reassuring,” an X user posted.
“[Barton] did not accuse him of anything. She simply asked a pertinent question. [Carney’s] reaction was childish,” another user said.
Other users appear to side with Carney, finding no issues with his response.
“I don’t see anything wrong with this. He’s responding factually to a question that implied some wrong doing on his part,” an X user said.
“I think he gave a respectful answer,” another person commented.
I hope all the Conservatives tweeting about me and my tough questions finally agree to appear on my program. They have an open invitation. #journalism
— Rosemary Barton (@RosieBarton) March 18, 2025
Barton took to X after the Q&A to address the situation and to invite Conservatives onto her television program to face similar lines of questions.
“I hope all the Conservatives tweeting about me and my tough questions finally agree to appear on my program. They have an open invitation. #journalism,” she said.
Carney has not publicly spoken about his response.
