Carney Defends Champagne's Rail Job, Conservatives Demand Probe

0:00It's April 7th. Welcome to Vancouver News Today, powered by AI. Mark Carney jumped into the ethics debate over innovation minister. Francois Philippe champagne spouse landing a senior gig at Alto, the outfit. Handling Canada's high-speed rail project from Toronto to Quebec City. Speaking in Brampton while announcing housing funds, Carney said champagne followed all the rules, calling it a win for both her career and his. Finance duties. Carney pushed for a better ethics set of that lets family members chase jobs without roadblocks, treating them as individuals. Champagne's team confirmed he proactively told the Prime Minister and ethics commissioner about the hire back in September, steering clear of any real. Or perceived conflicts. Conservatives aren't buying it, with MP Michael Barrett firing off a letter to the ethics commissioner demanding a full probe into champagne's roll-in. Budget talks that funnel cash to Alto. Democracy watch calls ethics screens useless smoke screens run by insiders,

1:02while experts like Ian Stedman say these conflicts should go public through. The commissioner's office, not just the PM. The high-speed rail itself, kicked off last year, promises over 50,000 jobs, $25 billion to the economy, and big boosts for. Transport, safety, and green goals using Canadian steel, and know-how. But critics slammed the $90 billion plus price tag as too steep, doubting ridership and real pollution cuts by the time it rolls in over a decade from now. This spat highlights the tightrope of public trust and big infrastructure plays, with ethics watchdogs and opposition keeping the heat on as the project shuts forward.