Opposition demands transparency over Carney government’s secret agency documents

Opposition MPs are pressing Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government to make public the governing documents for three newly formed special agencies that will oversee billions in spending on major projects, defence procurement, and affordable housing initiatives.

NDP interim leader Don Davies said Parliament must be informed about the oversight mechanisms and operational rules for these agencies, describing the lack of disclosure as “alarming and unacceptable.” He emphasized that such framework agreements have traditionally been available to the public.

Bloc Québécois MP Marie-Hélène Gaudreau accused the government of perpetuating “a culture of secrecy,” while Conservative House Leader Andrew Scheer criticized what he called the Liberals’ ongoing lack of transparency and accountability.

The agencies in question — the Major Projects Office, the Defence Investment Agency, and Build Canada Homes — are operating under undisclosed framework agreements. The government insists these internal documents remain confidential, even though they were once public.

Media reports reveal that departments responsible for the agencies have confirmed the documents exist and have Treasury Board approval but are being withheld from release.

Davies warned that Carney’s approach appears to mirror private-sector practices unsuitable for taxpayer-funded operations. Meanwhile, Democracy Watch co-founder Duff Conacher said withholding the documents violates federal open government principles and undermines democratic accountability, calling it “a recipe for waste, corruption, and abuse.”