Evidence of meeting #40 for Canadian Heritage in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was investigation.
A video is available from Parliament.
11:40 a.m.
Partner, Henein Hutchison LLP
That is a question that elicits an answer over which solicitor-client privilege has been claimed. I'm not authorized to waive the privilege on behalf of Hockey Canada.
I understand that I can be directed to answer the question.
11:40 a.m.
NDP
Peter Julian NDP New Westminster—Burnaby, BC
Madam Chair, we are already aware of the number of players that participated in and co-operated with the investigation. It seems to me that it's appropriate to know about coaching and staff members who participated.
11:40 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
Yes. I will direct the witness to answer the question.
We're not asking you for names. We're just asking how many—a number.
11:40 a.m.
Partner, Henein Hutchison LLP
I won't be able to answer that, unfortunately.
11:40 a.m.
NDP
Peter Julian NDP New Westminster—Burnaby, BC
Okay. Thank you.
I want to come back to the remuneration issue. Has the national equity fund ever been mentioned to you as paying Henein Hutchison for the investigation?
11:40 a.m.
Partner, Henein Hutchison LLP
The source of funds from Hockey Canada that were directed to pay my fees has never been discussed with me.
11:45 a.m.
NDP
Peter Julian NDP New Westminster—Burnaby, BC
And the national equity fund has never been raised as a source of funds.
11:45 a.m.
NDP
Peter Julian NDP New Westminster—Burnaby, BC
Okay.
Henein Hutchison does corporate investigations. You say on your website, “You need to get to the truth”. Is non-compliance normally part of what Henein Hutchison does—that is, to ensure there is compliance following the investigation, to ensure that the corporation or the organization involved actually follows the guidelines that are a result of the investigation?
11:45 a.m.
Partner, Henein Hutchison LLP
That can be part of a mandate that's usually set out at the outset of the engagement.
If it assists the members of the committee, I would say anecdotally that often that will be in smaller organizations that don't have a full legal department and the infrastructure required for an implementation phase of a process.
11:45 a.m.
NDP
Peter Julian NDP New Westminster—Burnaby, BC
Thank you.
You mentioned that the investigation has been restarted. Did Hockey Canada communicate that to you? You talked about a series of events before the investigation started again. Who instigated? Was it you going to Hockey Canada saying we now have the co-operation of the victim, or was it Hockey Canada communicating with you?
11:45 a.m.
Partner, Henein Hutchison LLP
I learned from outside counsel for Hockey Canada that the complainant was prepared to participate in our investigation. I then—
11:45 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
Thank you very much. I think the time is now well over.
I included the suspending time for the witness to find the information, Peter. I gave you all that time.
I will move now to the Conservatives.
Kevin Waugh, you have six minutes.
11:45 a.m.
Conservative
July 26th, 2022 / 11:45 a.m.
Conservative
