Finance Committee on July 22nd, 2020

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Carleton, ON]

What were their names?

[Michelle Kovacevic]

On that call on April 16, it would have been Rachel Wernick and also the associate deputy minister.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Carleton, ON]

Which one? Who's that?

[Michelle Kovacevic]

Benoît Robidoux.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Carleton, ON]

Did they suggest where they had heard the idea of bringing in WE?

[Michelle Kovacevic]

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—

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Carleton, ON]

The question was, did they mention where they heard that idea?

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

Pierre, we'll give her time to answer.

Ms. Kovacevic.

[Michelle Kovacevic]

The idea was a partnership: Could a company like WE do volunteer matching?

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Carleton, ON]

I have a point of order.

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

Go ahead. What's your point of order?

[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?

[Michelle Kovacevic]

All I can say is that ESDC raised the issue. We never discussed where the issue came from. That is it.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Carleton, ON]

How many times did you discuss WE with exempt staff in the government?

[Michelle Kovacevic]

I wouldn't know, off the top of my head.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Carleton, ON]

Was it once?

[Michelle Kovacevic]

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.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Carleton, ON]

About WE, was it roughly half a dozen times?

[Michelle Kovacevic]

I don't know. I can't recall.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Carleton, ON]

Do you remember with whom you discussed WE—the exempt staff?

[Michelle Kovacevic]

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.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Carleton, ON]

Yes, that's fine.

Did you ever discuss WE with Minister Morneau?

[Michelle Kovacevic]

Yes, most certainly. Of course, the government—

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Carleton, ON]

When? On what dates?

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

Just give the witness—