Do you know, Madam Minister?
Madam Chair, I would prefer an answer from the minister.
We will be able to hear from your deputy afterwards, Madam Minister. What checks did you do personally?
Evidence of meeting #12 for Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics in the 43rd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was charity.
A video is available from Parliament.
3 p.m.
Bloc
Rhéal Fortin Bloc Rivière-du-Nord, QC
Do you know, Madam Minister?
Madam Chair, I would prefer an answer from the minister.
We will be able to hear from your deputy afterwards, Madam Minister. What checks did you do personally?
3 p.m.
Liberal
Bardish Chagger Liberal Waterloo, ON
Madam Chair, I know that the member does not have a lot of time to ask questions. I want him to get the information that assures him that all the work was done. It is important to give the member a few moments in order to provide that information and to make sure that he has it.
3:05 p.m.
Bloc
Rhéal Fortin Bloc Rivière-du-Nord, QC
Do not waste time telling me all that, Madam Minister, I know it already. With all respect, I am aware of that.
I want to know whether you personally were aware of any vetting of the We Charity Foundation. Yes or no.
3:05 p.m.
Liberal
Bardish Chagger Liberal Waterloo, ON
Madam Chair, I can tell you that, as was shared at the finance committee, numerous conversations took place. Yes, concerns were raised to ensure that due diligence was done. I know that the public service, the professional and non-partisan public service, works really hard. I have confidence that they did that work. That's why—
3:05 p.m.
Bloc
3:05 p.m.
Liberal
Bardish Chagger Liberal Waterloo, ON
—the deputy can actually provide concrete examples of the information that the member is looking for. I think it's important that the deputy be able to provide those details, if the member would like.
3:05 p.m.
Bloc
Rhéal Fortin Bloc Rivière-du-Nord, QC
Madam Chair, I just have a few minutes. Can you ask the minister to stop? My speaking time is running out.
3:05 p.m.
Bloc
Rhéal Fortin Bloc Rivière-du-Nord, QC
Excuse me, Madam Minister.
We have a delay in the interpretation and we have the delay you are causing, Madam Minister, by explaining to us all kinds of things that are not relevant to the issue. I do not have a lot of time.
Since you have told me that you do not know, I would like to hear from your deputy now. What due diligence into WE Charity was done?
3:05 p.m.
Liberal
Bardish Chagger Liberal Waterloo, ON
Madam Chair, the public service signs numerous contribution agreements in any given year. They are—
3:05 p.m.
Liberal
3:05 p.m.
Bloc
Rhéal Fortin Bloc Rivière-du-Nord, QC
Madam Chair, you told us earlier that questions and answers would be about the same length. We are wasting our time.
I asked the deputy for an answer.
3:05 p.m.
Liberal
3:05 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rachael Thomas
Excuse me, Minister.
Mr. Fortin, I am happy to call on you, but there is an order. I have to ask the minister to stop and then you have the floor.
Mr. Fortin, proceed.
3:05 p.m.
Bloc
Rhéal Fortin Bloc Rivière-du-Nord, QC
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Madam Chagger, I do not want to rush you, but we do not have a lot of time. I have your answer and I thank you for it.
Now I would like to hear your deputy's answer to the same question. Is that possible or do you prefer her not to answer?
3:05 p.m.
Gina Wilson Deputy Minister, Diversity and Inclusion and Youth, Department of Canadian Heritage
Thank you very much. I'm happy to provide you with that information.
3:05 p.m.
Conservative
3:05 p.m.
Deputy Minister, Diversity and Inclusion and Youth, Department of Canadian Heritage
In every agreement, there are risk mitigation clauses and controls. There are financial checks done—
3:05 p.m.
Deputy Minister, Diversity and Inclusion and Youth, Department of Canadian Heritage
Okay. I'm sorry.