Recent developments surrounding a substantial military satellite contract have prompted Conservative MP Jamil Jivani to formally request an investigation into a possible conflict of interest involving Prime Minister Mark Carney and Telesat Corporation’s CEO, Dan Goldberg.

Details of the Inquiry

Jivani’s appeal to Canada’s ethics commissioner highlights a long-standing friendship between Carney and Goldberg, which has reportedly existed for over 20 years. The relationship includes shared experiences such as participating in a marathon together in London and Goldberg attending Carney’s cabinet swearing-in ceremony.

Relationship Background

Goldberg relocated to Ottawa in 2006 and soon became acquainted with Carney, who was then serving as a senior official at the Department of Finance. Publicly, both individuals have acknowledged their close friendship, with various statements referring to them as “good friends.”

Telesat’s Military Contract

Telesat has been awarded a $2.3 billion contract under the Enhanced Satellite Communications Project – Polar (ESCP-P). This contract is crucial for providing secure communications capabilities for the Canadian military in the Arctic region. Notably, Telesat is not included on the prime minister’s ethics screen, which comprises 103 other companies.

Request for Ethical Review

In his letter, Jivani urges Ethics Commissioner Konrad von Finckenstein to assess whether an ethics screen should be applied in this instance. The letter also requests confirmation on whether Carney recused himself from decisions involving Telesat since March 14, 2025, and whether his actions related to Telesat warrant further scrutiny due to his personal connection with Goldberg.

“Given the long-standing friendship, Telesat’s reliance on federal loans, contracts and capacity commitments worth several billion dollars and the decisions still to come, including the defense contract options, a reasonable person would expect at the very least an ethics screen to be established for the prime minister.”

Government Response

The Prime Minister’s Office has clarified that the awarding of the military contract was managed by the Defence Investment Agency, with no involvement from Carney. However, the statement did not specify whether Telesat will be added to the prime minister’s conflict of interest screen.

Telesat has also addressed the situation, with their spokesperson stating that CEO Goldberg has never solicited government funds, contracts, or special treatment regarding Telesat from Carney, either prior to or following his appointment.

Calls for Transparency

Concerns over transparency have been echoed by federal Conservatives since at least August, prompting requests for detailed information surrounding the deal. Defence critic James Bezan underscored the military’s urgent need for satellite capabilities while asserting that the public deserves clarity, especially given the swift manner in which the contract was awarded over several months.