Evidence of meeting #26 for Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics in the 43rd Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was know.
A video is available from Parliament.
2:50 p.m.
Liberal
Pablo Rodriguez Liberal Honoré-Mercier, QC
Mr. Chair, I came here to answer questions about Monsieur Theis, so I don't know about Mr. Chin because I didn't speak to him—
2:50 p.m.
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
We've heard a lot about ministerial accountability from the minister, but he's refusing to answer questions from a parliamentary committee when it was he who asked to appear.
Has Ben Chin been contacted by an officer of Parliament about his role in shaping the Canada student service grant?
2:50 p.m.
Liberal
Pablo Rodriguez Liberal Honoré-Mercier, QC
I'm here to answer based on your motion in Parliament regarding Mr. Rick Theis.
Mr. Chair, I'm ready to be here for three hours—
2:50 p.m.
Bloc
2:50 p.m.
Conservative
2:50 p.m.
Bloc
Rhéal Fortin Bloc Rivière-du-Nord, QC
Yes, it is.
Mr. Chair, the item on today's agenda was to get Rick Theis's answers to our questions. Rick Theis isn't here, so the matter is suspended. We'll debate that later on.
The minister said he would be happy to testify. We said we would hear from him, but we need to stick to the topic. He's not here to tell us what he thinks Rick Theis would have said had we asked him any given question. That's hearsay, and that's not what this is about.
Mr. Rodriguez wants to testify to the committee in the context of our study of the WE scandal. That's great; we'll hear what he has to say about the WE Charity scandal.
We aren't going to ask Mr. Rodriguez only the questions we would have asked Mr. Theis. We'll ask Mr. Theis those questions if and when he agrees to appear before the committee. Right now, Mr. Rodriguez—
2:50 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Chris Warkentin
Thank you, Mr. Fortin.
I think for the benefit of all committee members, including the minister, I will now read from the notice of meeting, that, pursuant to the order of reference of March 25 on the motion adopted by the committee on Monday, November 16, 2020, the committee is resuming its study on questions of conflict of interest and lobbying in relation to pandemic spending.
That is from the notice of meeting and so we will expect the minister to be able to provide answers with regard to the scope of the particular study.
Mr. Barrett, we'll turn back to you.
2:50 p.m.
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
Has anyone in the Prime Minister's Office been contacted by the RCMP with respect to their involvement in the Canada student service grant?
2:50 p.m.
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
Did you, Minister, have a role in shaping the Canada student service grant?
2:50 p.m.
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
Did you speak with anyone in the Prime Minister's Office in advance of this meeting in order to provide this committee with information?
2:50 p.m.
Liberal
Pablo Rodriguez Liberal Honoré-Mercier, QC
With Mr. Rick Theis, yes.
I have to correct something because I did have a further question for him. I called him today for a short conversation.
2:50 p.m.
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
How many times did PMO staff interact with either Craig or Marc Kielburger with respect to the Canada student service grant?
2:50 p.m.
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
I'm asking you today, Minister.
2:50 p.m.
Liberal
Pablo Rodriguez Liberal Honoré-Mercier, QC
There were so many witnesses. The Prime Minister appeared. His chief of staff appeared. The clerk and many others....
2:50 p.m.
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
How many times, Minister?
2:50 p.m.
Conservative
2:50 p.m.
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
Chair, no. I have three minutes remaining, sir.
2:50 p.m.
Liberal
Patricia Lattanzio Liberal Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Do I have six minutes? Can I start asking my questions?
2:50 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Chris Warkentin
That is correct.
We'll turn to Ms. Lattanzio for six minutes. We'll confirm Mr. Barrett's time was—
2:50 p.m.
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
Point of order, Mr. Chair.