Evidence of meeting #74 for Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was foundation.
A video is available from Parliament.
10:35 a.m.
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
Dr. Adam, go ahead.
10:35 a.m.
Former Vice-Chair of the Pierre-Elliott Trudeau Foundation Board of directors, As an Individual
There was always some confusion surrounding who the real donors were. That was part of the issue. We wanted to be audited independently.
10:35 a.m.
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
Thank you.
Did you nod in agreement, Ms. Redfern?
10:35 a.m.
As an Individual
I don't believe I could determine who the real donor was from the information provided. That was on the basis that the foundation was having trouble returning the donation.
10:35 a.m.
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
Who might be able to provide us evidence of that?
We've heard, in relation to this, Ms. Farah Mohamed's name referenced repeatedly. Just quickly, Ms. Redfern, do you believe she would be able to offer further information?
10:35 a.m.
As an Individual
I didn't have enough information in my possession at any point in time to know who would actually know who the real donor was.
10:35 a.m.
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
Dr. Adams, I would ask you the same question with respect to Farah Mohamed.
10:35 a.m.
Former Vice-Chair of the Pierre-Elliott Trudeau Foundation Board of directors, As an Individual
The only time I heard that name was in a communication from the president, Pascale Fournier, who mentioned that this member had indicated that she knew the identity of the person, but really, it's hearsay. I have no idea.
10:35 a.m.
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
Dr. Gibson, go ahead.
10:35 a.m.
Director, The Firelight Group, As an Individual
I'm not aware if she would have evidence or not.
10:35 a.m.
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
Do you know what her role was, Dr. Gibson?
10:35 a.m.
Director, The Firelight Group, As an Individual
I do not. I believe the former CFO, Caroline Lin, could be a good witness on this, but she would be looking back. She would not have been there at the time of the donation.
10:35 a.m.
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
I'm going to ask each witness a yes-or-no question, starting with Dr. Gibson.
Do you have additional documents that might assist us in our study?
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Director, The Firelight Group, As an Individual
I provided all my documents to Madame Fournier. She had no access to documentation, so I provided everything. She would have selected amongst that to provide that information forward.
10:35 a.m.
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
Thank you.
Dr. Adam, do you have any documents?
You've indicated no.
Ms. Redfern, go ahead.
10:35 a.m.
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
Okay. Thank you.
I think I have less than 45 seconds, Chair.
Are there additional witnesses with respect to this issue that this committee needs to hear from? If you don't have time to answer before my time is up, I'd invite you to please provide your response in writing.
Ms. Redfern, do you have names of additional witnesses?
10:35 a.m.
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
Dr. Adam, go ahead.
10:35 a.m.
Former Vice-Chair of the Pierre-Elliott Trudeau Foundation Board of directors, As an Individual
I mentioned that Caroline Lin would probably be a useful witness to clarify certain aspects of this matter.
10:35 a.m.
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
Dr. Gibson, go ahead.
10:35 a.m.
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
Okay.
Thank you very much, Chair.
10:35 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative John Brassard
Thank you, Mr. Barrett.
Just for the benefit of the committee, we did invite Caroline Lin to the committee. We are in receipt of a letter from her lawyer indicating that she would not like to appear before the committee. We have copies of that letter in both official languages. I will ask the clerk to distribute them to the members of the committee as well so that you have them.
Ms. Saks, you have five minutes. Go ahead, please.
June 2nd, 2023 / 10:35 a.m.
Liberal
Ya'ara Saks Liberal York Centre, ON
Thank you, Chair. I'll be sharing my time with my colleague Ms. Hepfner.
First of all, thank you to all the witnesses for joining us today.
I just want to be clear, and it can be a simple yes-or-no answer: Is it correct that none of you who are here today were involved with the negotiations, the signing of the agreement or accepting the donation from Mr. Bin Zhang between 2014 and 2016?
Dr. Gibson, go ahead.