Mark Carney sidesteps questions about political future after speaking with Liberal MPs

Former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney sidestepped questions about his political ambitions Tuesday while saying he was honoured to be asked to advise the Liberal Party on economic policy ahead of the next federal election.

«I have a couple simple rules. One, if a prime minister of Canada asks me to do something, I will do it. I will serve, to the best of my abilities,» Carney told reporters after speaking to Liberal MPs at the party's caucus retreat in Nanaimo, B.C.

«Secondly, I have some experience in these issues and I'm interested in helping our country to grow. I'm interested in doing something, not being something. And this is a decisive time for our economy. These issues have to be tackled head-on.»

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Liberal Party announced Monday that Carney would chair a task force on economic growth and provide the Liberal leader and the party's platform committee with recommendations after consulting with business, labour and Indigenous leaders.

But questions about whether Carney might run for the Liberal leadership dominated his brief media availability. Carney addressed a Liberal Party convention in 2021 and speculation about his political future — including a possible leadership run — has circulated for years.

«The story for today and the task that I've taken on is a big task, it's an important task,» Carney said. «But I'm a catalyst in a much broader effort.»

Carney also evaded a question about a possible difference of opinion between himself and the federal government on the issue of carbon pricing. Last year, he criticized the Trudeau government's decision to exempt home heating oil from the federal carbon tax.

«I think sometimes what happens with these issues is that the focus misses an