The Liberal Party’s decision to hold closed-door fundraising events under Prime Minister Mark Carney is being criticized as a step backward for political transparency, according to a leading expert in ethics and public accountability.
Carney is scheduled to attend a high-priced Liberal fundraiser tonight at a private residence in Vancouver, where tickets reportedly cost $1,775. The event is closed to the media, a move that marks a notable shift from the fundraising approach used by former prime minister Justin Trudeau.
In recent years, Trudeau’s fundraisers typically allowed journalists limited access, including the opportunity to hear opening remarks and observe attendees. Carney’s decision to bar media entirely has prompted renewed debate over openness and the influence of wealthy donors in Canadian politics.
The Liberals had previously pledged to move away from private, exclusive fundraising practices. In 2017, the party announced it would stop holding closed fundraisers in private homes. A year later, legislation was introduced requiring political parties to publicly advertise fundraising events attended by cabinet ministers, party leaders, or leadership candidates whenever ticket prices exceeded $200. Parties were also required to publish lists of attendees afterward.
However, concerns about a return to old practices resurfaced in 2024, when the Toronto Star reported the Liberals were considering resuming private-home fundraisers in an effort to match Conservative fundraising strength ahead of the next federal election.
Ian Stedman, an associate professor at York University’s School of Public Policy and Administration and a former employee of Ontario’s Integrity Commissioner, said the Liberals’ decision to restrict access to these events deserves close public scrutiny.
He described the move as a “step back,” warning that limiting transparency around political fundraising can undermine public trust and raise ethical questions about access and influence at the highest levels of government.
Carney’s closed-door fundraiser is now adding fresh fuel to the broader debate over political ethics, accountability, and the role of elite fundraising in Canadian democracy.