A group of Members of Parliament (MPs) is requesting a list of potential candidates from the government to fill the role of a new permanent parliamentary budget officer (PBO). This comes after the current interim fiscal watchdog expressed concerns about Canada’s financial situation.
During a meeting at the House government operations committee, a motion was passed to allow a subcommittee to conduct private interviews with the candidates and provide recommendations to the government for the permanent appointment. Conservative MP Kelly Block, who initiated the motion, emphasized the importance of having a PBO selected through a parliamentary vetting process.
The motion received support from Conservative and Bloc members, while the Liberals opposed it. The PBO is an impartial officer of Parliament responsible for offering independent economic and financial analysis to both the Senate and the House of Commons.
Presently, the PBO is appointed by the government after consulting with leaders of recognized parties and groups in Parliament’s two houses, with approval required from both chambers as per the Parliament of Canada Act. Block suggested that the interview process proposed should be considered part of the consultation process outlined in the act.
The motion follows the recent appointment of Jason Jacques as the interim PBO earlier this fall. Jacques, in his initial appearances, criticized the government’s spending as “stupefying” and “unsustainable.” However, he later released a report stating that while the government may miss deficit targets, federal finances are sustainable in the long run.
After the budget release, the government posted a job listing for a permanent PBO, seeking candidates with “tact and discretion.” During the committee meeting, Conservative MP Tamara Jansen raised concerns about the wording in the job posting, suggesting a desire for someone less inclined to criticize the government’s fiscal stance.
In response to Jansen’s concerns, Jacques clarified that the requirement for “tact and discretion” pertains to private meetings with parliamentarians to maintain confidentiality. The Conservatives have urged the Liberals to appoint Jacques for a full term, as the interim period allows for potential dismissal based on his criticisms. The Prime Minister’s Office confirmed that Jacques can apply for the permanent position, which has a term of up to seven years with the possibility of renewal.
