We will officially call the meeting to order.
Welcome to meeting number 41, the first panel of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance. We are meeting on government spending, the WE Charity and the Canada student service grant. Today's meeting is taking place by video conference and the proceedings will be made available via the House of Commons website.
We are pleased to have on this first panel, Minister Bardish Chagger, Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth. Accompanying her is Gina Wilson, senior associate deputy minister, diversity and inclusion and youth, with the Department of Canadian Heritage.
Before I turn to you, Minister, I know you have an opening statement, but we do have a bit of committee business that we must complete first.
I believe all members have a copy of the subcommittee report. The subcommittee met on Thursday, July 9 to consider the business of the committee and agreed to a number of recommendations:
That, in relation to the study of the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the awarding of the sole-source contract to WE Charity:
(a) the committee hold meetings on Thursday, July 16, Tuesday, July 21, Wednesday, July 22, and Tuesday, July 28;
(b) that for the meeting on Thursday, July 16, the first panel be comprised of the Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth and the Deputy Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth, and that the second panel be comprised of the Clerk of the Privy Council and the Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Skills and Employment Branch at Employment and Social Development Canada;
(c) that preliminary priority witness lists be submitted to the clerk no later than 12:00 p.m. on Monday, July 13;
(d) that final priority witness lists be submitted to the clerk no later than 12:00 p.m. on Friday, July 17; and
(e) that over the course of the remaining three meetings, the committee hear from a maximum of 18 witnesses.
That was the motion that was moved. I have just one word of explanation: The clerk is on holiday and is not available for today's meeting. I said that would be fine and we would have him on the 21st. That has been established.
Does somebody want to move that report? Who wants to move it? Okay, Peter Fragiskatos.
Is there any discussion on it?
(Motion agreed to)