“There wouldn’t even be a need for a screen,” Barrett said, “if the funds were simply divested and reinvested by an independent financial manager.”
The Commissioner rejected that idea as “simplistic,” warning it would create tax liabilities and discourage people from entering public service. Barrett pushed back, saying the goal was not to protect office-holders from taxes or dissuasion, but to ensure Canadians can trust that decisions are made in the public interest, not for personal gain…