A parliamentary committee is requesting the government to provide a list of potential candidates for the permanent parliamentary budget officer (PBO) position. This comes after the interim fiscal watchdog expressed concerns about the state of Canada’s finances.
The House government operations committee passed a motion on Thursday asking for a subcommittee to conduct closed-door interviews with the candidates and subsequently recommend suitable individuals for the permanent role. Conservative MP Kelly Block, who put forward the motion, emphasized the importance of having a PBO appointed to the position on a full-time basis and vetted by parliamentarians.
The motion received support from Conservative and Bloc members, while the Liberals opposed it. The PBO, a nonpartisan officer of Parliament, offers independent economic and financial analysis to the Senate and the House of Commons.
Currently, the PBO is appointed by the government following consultations with leaders of recognized parties and groups in Parliament. The appointment must also receive approval from both chambers, as outlined in the Parliament of Canada Act. Block suggested that the proposed interview process should be considered part of the consultation procedure outlined in the act.
The motion follows the recent appointment of Jason Jacques as the interim PBO earlier this fall. Jacques had previously criticized the government’s spending as unsustainable, but later released a report suggesting that while deficit targets may not be met, federal finances are sustainable in the long run.
After the government released a job posting for a permanent PBO, which emphasized the need for candidates with “tact and discretion,” Conservative MP Tamara Jansen raised concerns during the committee meeting. Jansen suggested that the wording in the job posting implied a desire for a candidate who may be less inclined to criticize the government’s fiscal position.
However, Jacques clarified that the requirement for tact and discretion pertains to confidential meetings with parliamentarians and their staff. He highlighted the importance of maintaining discretion in such interactions.
The Conservatives have urged the Liberals to appoint Jacques to a full term, expressing concerns that the interim period gives Ottawa the authority to dismiss him for his criticisms. A spokesperson from the Prime Minister’s Office confirmed that Jacques is eligible to apply for the permanent position, which can have a term of up to seven years with the possibility of renewal.