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.
Conservative
2:50 p.m.
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
Chair, point of order. I have three minutes remaining of my time.
2:50 p.m.
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
Chair, I would ask you to speak with the clerk. I have three minutes remaining of my time. I withstood multiple interruptions by members of this committee. I have three minutes remaining of my time.
2:50 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Chris Warkentin
Mr. Barrett, order. I will confirm with the clerk.
I've confirmed that, yes, in fact you do have additional time. We'll turn back to Mr. Barrett. I apologize Mr. Barrett.
2:50 p.m.
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
Minister, I'm asking you the question about the number of interactions between staff at the Prime Minister's Office and Mr. Craig and Mr. Marc Kielburger. What is the number of interactions, sir?
2:55 p.m.
Liberal
Pablo Rodriguez Liberal Honoré-Mercier, QC
I believe those questions were asked regularly throughout the process. You can check the questions and the notes that were taken about that.
2:55 p.m.
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
I appreciate that you haven't been at committee in awhile, Minister, but that's not how this works. You're required to answer the questions that are being asked of you. Whom did Rick Theis communicate with in the Prime Minister's Office after his contact with the Kielburgers?
2:55 p.m.
Liberal
Pablo Rodriguez Liberal Honoré-Mercier, QC
What I know is that Monsieur Theis had that conversation of 25 minutes with WE, in which they explained their services, this and that, and he referred them to Diversity, Inclusion and Youth. That was his interaction.
2:55 p.m.
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
Who did he speak to in the Prime Minister's Office afterwards? Who did he report that conversation to?
2:55 p.m.
Liberal
Pablo Rodriguez Liberal Honoré-Mercier, QC
He was not involved. I know where you're trying to get to.
2:55 p.m.
Conservative
2:55 p.m.
Liberal
Pablo Rodriguez Liberal Honoré-Mercier, QC
I'm sorry, but inventing things....
I always tell the truth. The thing is that he was not involved. He had that phone conversation, and that was it.
I don't know why we're having—
2:55 p.m.
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
He never spoke of it to anyone in his reporting structure again?
2:55 p.m.
Liberal
Pablo Rodriguez Liberal Honoré-Mercier, QC
I don't know why we're having a three-hour meeting on a 25-minute conversation, by the way.
2:55 p.m.
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
Minister, the question is this. Who did Mr. Theis speak to in his reporting structure following his conversation with the Kielburgers?
2:55 p.m.
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
It would be helpful if Mr. Theis were here to answer that question.
As the minister responsible, you should know the answer. Who did he speak to?
2:55 p.m.
Liberal
Pablo Rodriguez Liberal Honoré-Mercier, QC
As you know, ministerial responsibility is extremely important. That's why I'm here.
2:55 p.m.
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
You're the responsible minister who's unable to answer the questions.
Did Rick Theis authorize the WE organization to start spending on the Canada student service grant on May 5?
2:55 p.m.
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
Was the Canada student service grant authorized retroactively to May 5?
2:55 p.m.
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
On May 5, Sofia Marquez spoke with Rick Theis. Did Mr. Theis give the WE organization any permission, authorization or indication about the approval of the program?