Many high-ranking federal government roles are now being filled — or left vacant — in ways that are far less visible than a decade ago
Since 2016 when former prime minister Justin Trudeau announced his cabinet would be using “an open, transparent and merit-based selection process” for hiring top government executives, senior appointments have showcased transparency and a commitment to inclusivity and diversity in leadership.
Today, as Mark Carney’s government moves key people into some of Ottawa’s most influential roles, much of the process appears to be slipping back out of public view.
As reported by CBC, the most recent example is the creation of Canada’s first foreign influence transparency commissioner, a role expected to oversee how foreign actors attempt to sway Canadian politics and institutions.
Instead of an advertised, open competition, CBC reports, the Department of Public Safety created an internal list of names to draw candidates from. When the minister’s office requested more options, officials expanded the list to include Anton Boegman, then B.C.’s chief electoral officer, who is now poised to take on the new watchdog role.
From open competitions to closed lists
Trudeau’s 2016 reform resulted in publicly advertised vacancies for hundreds of governor-in-council positions — including part-time board roles and high-paid leadership posts at agencies and Crown corporations.
The goal, Trudeau said at the time, was clear: “We are committed to raising the bar on openness and transparency in government to make sure that it remains focused on serving Canadians as effectively and efficiently as possible.”
CBC analysis reveals that since Mark Carney took office, the practice has shifted. Only one role — the parliamentary budget officer — has been publicly advertised on the federal appointments site since March 2025, even as the new government has made more than 100 governor-in-council appointments.
Roughly 250 governor-in-council roles remain vacant, CBC details, along with multiple Senate seats.
Carney’s office says transparency remains
The Prime Minister’s Office maintains that its approach still meets the former standard.
In an email to CBC, press secretary Laura Scaffidi said Carney’s team is using a “transparent and merit-based selection process” to make appointments.
“Canada's new government is taking a proactive approach to public appointments, with leaders in business, finance, law and civil society stepping up to build Canada strong,” Scaffidi said, noting that several appointments come from existing pools of candidates who applied before and after the last election, and that some were made “on recommendation by the clerk of the Privy Council to the prime minister.”
