Conservative MP Ed Fast said it was becoming 鈥渦ntenable鈥� to do his job as finance critic within the Conservative Party of Canada, which is why he asked to be relieved of his duties.
In an interview on 麻豆影视 Channel鈥檚 Power Play on Thursday, Fast said the very issues he is required to speak to in the position, such as monetary and fiscal policy, were topics 鈥渙ne of the leadership candidates鈥� felt he shouldn鈥檛 be commenting on because it could conflict with their campaign policy positions.
鈥淚 was at a point where not only could I not do my work at committee, the way I needed to, I also couldn鈥檛 speak publicly, as frankly as I probably should,鈥� he said.
Fast, a B.C. MP, is co-chairing former Quebec premier Jean Charest鈥� leadership campaign.
On Wednesday evening, interim party leader Candice Bergen issued a statement noting that Fast would be "stepping away from his duties鈥� as finance critic.
Later in the interview, Fast spoke out against leadership contender Pierre Poilievre鈥檚 attacks of the Bank of Canada.
鈥淲e are now seeing political interference or attempt at political interference in our central bank, which is supposed to be free from that interference. It鈥檚 supposed to be independent,鈥� he said.
Listen to Fast at the top of this article.
With a file from The Canadian Press.
