Former prime minister Harper accuses Carney of overblowing role during financial crisis

Former prime minister Stephen Harper is raising concerns about Liberal leadership contender Mark Carney’s role in guiding Canada’s response to the 2008 global financial crisis. Carney, who led the Bank of Canada from 2008 to 2013 before moving on to the Bank of England, has positioned himself as a steady hand for the economy in his bid to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Harper, who was the Conservative prime minister during the crisis, has taken issue with Carney’s portrayal of his involvement in managing the economy at that time. In a fundraising letter, Harper accused Carney of taking credit for decisions he was not directly involved in and undermining the legacy of former finance minister Jim Flaherty, who passed away in 2014.

Harper emphasized that the tough calls during the financial crisis were made by Flaherty, not Carney. He criticized Carney for being “wrong on all the big issues” such as carbon pricing and immigration, while praising Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre for being on the right side of those issues.

Interestingly, Harper’s letter contradicts his previous public comments about Carney. When Carney left to lead the Bank of England, Harper commended him for his contribution to steering Canada through the economic recession. However, the tone of Harper’s recent letter reflects a more critical stance towards Carney’s role in the crisis.

This latest exchange adds to the ongoing debate over Carney’s involvement in Canada’s response to the financial crisis. Last month, Poilievre’s wife criticized Carney on social media for allegedly claiming Flaherty’s legacy. In response, Chisholm Pothier, a former senior official with Flaherty’s team, defended Carney’s role and highlighted his contribution to the crisis management.

Carney has publicly expressed his respect and gratitude towards Flaherty, referring to him as a mentor and a lovely human being. Despite the back and forth between Harper and Carney’s supporters, Carney’s team has not responded to Harper’s letter.

As the Liberal Party prepares to choose its new leader, the debate surrounding Carney’s role in Canada’s economic response to the 2008 crisis continues to be a point of contention. The outcome of the leadership race will determine who will lead the party and potentially shape Canada’s economic policies in the future.