Evidence of meeting #67 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.
9:30 a.m.
Conservative
Luc Berthold Conservative Mégantic—L'Érable, QC
What you are telling me is that a board member like Mr. Alexandre Trudeau did not have the authority to sign such an agreement on behalf of the foundation.
9:30 a.m.
Former President and Chief Excecutif Officer at the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation and Full Professor at the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law, As an Individual
I did some research to understand this aspect, because Caroline Lin and I were trying to piece together the past. I could not find a board resolution, or anything in the committee minutes or board minutes at the time, that authorized Mr. Alexandre Trudeau to sign this contract. On the other hand, I was not there at the time, so I do not want to comment on the past.
9:35 a.m.
Conservative
Luc Berthold Conservative Mégantic—L'Érable, QC
Based on the emails you have reviewed, did the cultural association send any request that a signature or photo of a Trudeau family member was needed?
9:35 a.m.
Former President and Chief Excecutif Officer at the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation and Full Professor at the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law, As an Individual
I don't remember that specifically. In fact, I have emails where they would ask not to list the names of the donors, but rather the name and address of a particular company. Then they would come back and ask to change the address to such and such an address.
It is important for me to mention that I was unaware of the existence of the emails until late February or early March 2023. At that time, I felt I should stop my research and have a law firm and an accounting firm to get to the bottom of the past.
April 28th, 2023 / 9:35 a.m.
Conservative
Luc Berthold Conservative Mégantic—L'Érable, QC
Have you been pressured in any way since your resignation, either by members of the board of directors or by others at the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation?
9:35 a.m.
Former President and Chief Excecutif Officer at the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation and Full Professor at the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law, As an Individual
I am not in contact with any current board members. When I resigned, my computer and phone were immediately seized. So I was not able to send an email to the fellows and mentors to tell them I was leaving. I am not in contact with the current board members at all. I have absolutely no communication with them.
9:35 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative John Brassard
Thank you, Ms. Fournier and Mr. Berthold.
Mr. Fergus, you now have the floor for five minutes.
9:35 a.m.
Liberal
Greg Fergus Liberal Hull—Aylmer, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Professor Fournier, thank you for being here and for your testimony. The few questions I would like to ask are very specific. I am giving you the same message as my colleague Mr. Green: if I interrupt you, it is simply because I would like to get the answer within my allotted time.
Other than its fiduciary obligations to Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada or the Canada Revenue Agency, what relationship, if any, does the foundation have with the Government of Canada?
9:35 a.m.
Former President and Chief Excecutif Officer at the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation and Full Professor at the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law, As an Individual
Our partner, ISAIDCANADA...
9:35 a.m.
Liberal
Greg Fergus Liberal Hull—Aylmer, QC
I'm not talking about fiduciary obligations. Does the foundation have any relationship with the Government of Canada?
9:35 a.m.
Former President and Chief Excecutif Officer at the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation and Full Professor at the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law, As an Individual
I can only attest to my five years as president. I had no connection with the government, except, of course, with ISAIDCANADA and the Canada Revenue Agency.
9:35 a.m.
Liberal
Greg Fergus Liberal Hull—Aylmer, QC
This was in addition to your fiduciary duties.
Let me clarify my question: what governance relationship did the foundation have with the Prime Minister or his cabinet?
9:35 a.m.
Former President and Chief Excecutif Officer at the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation and Full Professor at the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law, As an Individual
Under my leadership?
9:35 a.m.
Former President and Chief Excecutif Officer at the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation and Full Professor at the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law, As an Individual
While I was president, I had no connection to the Prime Minister's Office.
9:35 a.m.
Liberal
9:35 a.m.
Former President and Chief Excecutif Officer at the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation and Full Professor at the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law, As an Individual
That's right, I had no connection with them.
9:35 a.m.
Liberal
Greg Fergus Liberal Hull—Aylmer, QC
Thank you.
Professor Fournier, you've read the news and you're aware of all the controversy. Often, people conflate the foundation that has the same last name as the current Prime Minister with the current Prime Minister. However, you say that you had no connection to or obligation to the Prime Minister or his staff.
9:40 a.m.
Former President and Chief Excecutif Officer at the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation and Full Professor at the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law, As an Individual
I am answering your questions based on my personal experience. When I was president of the foundation at the time, I did not have any connection with them. However, I cannot speak for the other members of our executive or board of directors. Personally, I had no connection with the Prime Minister's Office, nor did I wish to have one.
9:40 a.m.
Liberal
Greg Fergus Liberal Hull—Aylmer, QC
In your opinion, did the foundation, under your watch, have a connection to the Prime Minister?
9:40 a.m.
Former President and Chief Excecutif Officer at the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation and Full Professor at the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law, As an Individual
No, not to my knowledge.
9:40 a.m.
Liberal
Greg Fergus Liberal Hull—Aylmer, QC
In the annual reports, going back almost a decade, it says that the Prime Minister was not active with the foundation and was not involved in its activities. Can you confirm that?
9:40 a.m.
Former President and Chief Excecutif Officer at the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation and Full Professor at the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law, As an Individual
As I said before, I can only confirm this from 2018. From 2018 to 2023, I had no relationship with the Prime Minister. He was not invited to, nor did he receive any materials related to, our membership meetings or our board of directors or governance committee meetings. He did not receive invitations or materials of any kind.
9:40 a.m.
Liberal
Greg Fergus Liberal Hull—Aylmer, QC
I'm going to go a little bit more in-depth.
Did the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry have any involvement with the foundation during your presidency?
9:40 a.m.
Former President and Chief Excecutif Officer at the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation and Full Professor at the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law, As an Individual
None.