Annette Ryan, a veteran public servant, is the deputy director at Canada’s financial intelligence unit, Fintrac. She’s scheduled to appear before the standing finance committee as part of those proceedings on her nomination to be the next PBO. Jason Jacques’ interim term expired at the beginning of March. Unfortunately, for that reason, the position has been empty since then, setting the stage for this nomination.
Ryan has an impressive background in public service that has armed her with valuable experience. She is a Rhodes Scholar and has some pretty marvelous degrees from both Acadia University and Oxford University. Her selection by the cabinet signals a real commitment to installing a highly qualified and capable individual to this vital post. We think the PBO has a vital role to play in ensuring transparency and accountability in how our governments spend taxpayer dollars. Still, it has floundered during the vacancy, as it can’t issue any new reports or accept any new work from parliamentarians without a permanent parliamentary officer in place.
That means the council’s finance committee will be more charged than ever with probing Ryan through hearings to determine whether she deserves the job. Members of Parliament (MPs) will discuss her views on fiscal issues. Finally, her views will be highly influential during the appropriations process. Ryan will be needing major support from both the House of Commons and the Senate in order to obtain her nomination. Only then she can officially assume the office.
The debate over Ryan’s nomination will be shaped by another debate playing out at the same time in Parliament. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is advocating for Jason Jacques to be given the job of PBO permanently. He’s supported in this approach to advocacy by many other MPs. Others in government, however, are anxious to keep the status quo with a centralized leadership structure. This desire comes as the country finds itself caught in a tempestuous political storm.
Ryan’s qualifications will be probed by the bipartisan finance committee. This line of questioning will be especially important to her future in this powerful office. As she gets ready to make her case, her testimony will be the center of attention. Her remarks have the potential to transform the landscape of fiscal oversight in Canada.
