Finance Committee on July 16th, 2020

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Carleton, ON]

She gave the recommendation. Did she give it in writing?

[Bardish Chagger, Liberal, Waterloo, ON]

Yes.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Carleton, ON]

Do you know if she spoke to the Prime Minister's Office, or any member of the Prime Minister's Office, prior to rendering that recommendation?

[Bardish Chagger, Liberal, Waterloo, ON]

The public service made a recommendation to me that WE Charity was the only organization that could deliver this program, and I accepted the recommendation.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Carleton, ON]

Yes, I understand that.

Did Ms. Wernick speak to any member of the Prime Minister's Office before making that recommendation?

[Bardish Chagger, Liberal, Waterloo, ON]

I understand that Ms. Wernick will be appearing after me. That's a great question you can pose to her.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Carleton, ON]

Did cabinet sign off on the sole-sourcing of this contribution agreement with WE?

[Bardish Chagger, Liberal, Waterloo, ON]

There are processes that are followed. The public service made a recommendation to me. I accepted the recommendation and, yes, I presented it to cabinet. Cabinet—

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

We'll go back to Mr. Poilievre.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Carleton, ON]

Was your name on the memorandum to cabinet?

[Bardish Chagger, Liberal, Waterloo, ON]

Yes.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Carleton, ON]

Prior to that, did you discuss this matter with any member of the Prime Minister's Office?

[Bardish Chagger, Liberal, Waterloo, ON]

We have conversations and consultations all the time. We had a goal of helping students during the pandemic, as well as not-for-profits—

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Carleton, ON]

Did you discuss it with the Prime Minister's Office?

[Bardish Chagger, Liberal, Waterloo, ON]

Mr. Chair, I believe that if I'm not interrupting, I should be given the courtesy of being able to answer in the same time that was provided.

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

Go ahead, Mr. Poilievre, and then we'll go back to the minister.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Carleton, ON]

Did you discuss this matter with any member of the Prime Minister's Office prior to bringing it to cabinet?

[Bardish Chagger, Liberal, Waterloo, ON]

I was given a recommendation by the public service. I accepted the recommendation. I asked many questions. Many questions have been posed. I accepted the recommendation and I brought it forward to cabinet.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Carleton, ON]

Okay. Did you discuss it with Katie Telford before bringing it to cabinet?

[Bardish Chagger, Liberal, Waterloo, ON]

I personally did not discuss it with Katie Telford.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Carleton, ON]

Or anyone else in the Prime Minister's Office...?

[Bardish Chagger, Liberal, Waterloo, ON]

I personally did not have those conversations. I was working with the public service. The professional, non-partisan public service made a recommendation. I accepted it.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Carleton, ON]

Anyone...?

You did not discuss this with anyone in the Prime Minister's Office prior to introducing it to cabinet.

[Bardish Chagger, Liberal, Waterloo, ON]

I did not have conversations with the Prime Minister's Office in regard to the proposal that was being recommended by the public service.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Carleton, ON]

Did you discuss it with anyone in the finance minister's office?