OTTAWA — The Liberal government has nominated a senior official at the national financial intelligence agency as Ottawa’s next fiscal watchdog.

Wayne Long, the secretary of state for financial institutions, tabled the certificate of nomination to ask for MPs to approve Annette Ryan to take on the currently vacant role of the parliamentary budget officer for a seven-year term.

Ryan has served in the public service for over a decade and currently works as a deputy director at the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre, better known as Fintrac.

Interim PBO Jason Jacques’ term expired without a successor in place at Canada’s parliamentary budget office, which scrutinizes federal spending decisions.

The appointment of a PBO is made by cabinet after consulting with other recognized party leaders and must be approved in the House of Commons and the Senate.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said in a letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney that he had reservations about the Liberal pick for PBO and said he wanted Jacques to assume the role on a permanent basis.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 9, 2026.

Craig Lord, The Canadian Press