MNI BRIEF: Freeland Has Spoken to Macklem About BOC Diversity

Canadian Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland said Wednesday she's spoken to BOC Governor Tiff Macklem about diversity at a central bank that has been seeking a new top deputy since December.

"This issue of diversity at the Bank of Canada is something Tiff and have discussed often, I know it's something he really cares about and is really focused on," Freeland said in response to a question from MNI at a press conference Wednesday. The Governing Council now has no women or minorities.

"It is important to get a really terrific person in that role," she said. "A lot of hard work has been done there, and I am enthusiastic about the work that has been done."

Freeland also rejected the idea that enhanced government jobless benefits are behind reports of labor shortages, adding it's unfair for anyone working full time to live below the poverty line. She also said expanded benefits need to stay in place to support a solid rebound.