Evidence of meeting #41 for Finance in the 43rd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was volunteer.

A video is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Gina Wilson  Senior Associate Deputy Minister, Diversity and Inclusion and Youth, Department of Canadian Heritage
Clerk of the Committee  Ms. Caroline Bosc
Rachel Wernick  Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Skills and Employment Branch, Department of Employment and Social Development
Stephanie Hébert  Assistant Deputy Minister, Program Operations Branch, Department of Employment and Social Development
Paula Speevak  President and Chief Executive Officer, Volunteer Canada

3:20 p.m.

Conservative

Pierre Poilievre Conservative Carleton, ON

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

3:20 p.m.

Liberal

Bardish Chagger Liberal Waterloo, ON

Yes.

3:20 p.m.

Conservative

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?

3:20 p.m.

Liberal

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.

3:20 p.m.

Conservative

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?

3:20 p.m.

Liberal

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.

3:20 p.m.

Conservative

Pierre Poilievre Conservative Carleton, ON

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

3:20 p.m.

Liberal

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—

3:20 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Wayne Easter

We'll go back to Mr. Poilievre.

3:20 p.m.

Conservative

Pierre Poilievre Conservative Carleton, ON

Was your name on the memorandum to cabinet?

3:20 p.m.

Liberal

Bardish Chagger Liberal Waterloo, ON

Yes.

3:20 p.m.

Conservative

Pierre Poilievre Conservative Carleton, ON

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

3:20 p.m.

Liberal

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—

3:20 p.m.

Conservative

Pierre Poilievre Conservative Carleton, ON

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

3:20 p.m.

Liberal

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.

3:20 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Wayne Easter

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

3:20 p.m.

Conservative

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?

3:20 p.m.

Liberal

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.

3:20 p.m.

Conservative

Pierre Poilievre Conservative Carleton, ON

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

3:20 p.m.

Liberal

Bardish Chagger Liberal Waterloo, ON

I personally did not discuss it with Katie Telford.

3:20 p.m.

Conservative

Pierre Poilievre Conservative Carleton, ON

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

3:20 p.m.

Liberal

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.

3:20 p.m.

Conservative

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.

3:20 p.m.

Liberal

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.

3:20 p.m.

Conservative

Pierre Poilievre Conservative Carleton, ON

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