Evidence of meeting #43 for Finance in the 43rd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was charity.
A video is available from Parliament.
3:35 p.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Federal-Provincial Relations and Social Policy Branch, Department of Finance
On that call on April 16, it would have been Rachel Wernick and also the associate deputy minister.
3:35 p.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Federal-Provincial Relations and Social Policy Branch, Department of Finance
Benoît Robidoux.
3:35 p.m.
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Carleton, ON
Did they suggest where they had heard the idea of bringing in WE?
3:35 p.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Federal-Provincial Relations and Social Policy Branch, Department of Finance
This wasn't about bringing in WE. This was about the fact that we could partner with a company like WE to do volunteer matching on ESDC's—
3:35 p.m.
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Carleton, ON
The question was, did they mention where they heard that idea?
3:35 p.m.
Liberal
3:35 p.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Federal-Provincial Relations and Social Policy Branch, Department of Finance
The idea was a partnership: Could a company like WE do volunteer matching?
3:40 p.m.
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Carleton, ON
I'm not interested in what the idea was. I'm asking where it came from. The question was very specific. It was very clear. We don't have a lot of time. I'd ask you to call the witness to answer the question.
The question was, did ESDC officials in that meeting mention where they had first heard the idea of bringing WE into the delivery of this program or involving it in any way?
3:40 p.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Federal-Provincial Relations and Social Policy Branch, Department of Finance
All I can say is that ESDC raised the issue. We never discussed where the issue came from. That is it.
3:40 p.m.
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Carleton, ON
How many times did you discuss WE with exempt staff in the government?
3:40 p.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Federal-Provincial Relations and Social Policy Branch, Department of Finance
I wouldn't know, off the top of my head.
3:40 p.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Federal-Provincial Relations and Social Policy Branch, Department of Finance
Leading up to the Prime Minister's announcement, I imagine there would be a number of occasions where I would talk about the partnerships that we could enter into with WE.
3:40 p.m.
Conservative
3:40 p.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Federal-Provincial Relations and Social Policy Branch, Department of Finance
I don't know. I can't recall.
3:40 p.m.
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Carleton, ON
Do you remember with whom you discussed WE—the exempt staff?
3:40 p.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Federal-Provincial Relations and Social Policy Branch, Department of Finance
I would very gladly turn over my emails and we could say very specifically with whom I was discussing. I would like to make clear to the committee that the discussions were on a broad range of ideas and companies.
3:40 p.m.
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Carleton, ON
Yes, that's fine.
Did you ever discuss WE with Minister Morneau?
3:40 p.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Federal-Provincial Relations and Social Policy Branch, Department of Finance
Yes, most certainly. Of course, the government—
3:40 p.m.
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Carleton, ON
She did answer the question, to her credit. On what dates?
