Evidence of meeting #45 for Finance in the 43rd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was sir.
A video is available from Parliament.
Bloc
Rhéal Fortin Bloc Rivière-du-Nord, QC
Would you agree that many people in Quebec and Canada have experienced mental health issues or have loved ones who have experienced them?
You invited Margaret Trudeau, however. If her name had been Margaret Fortin, would you have invited her to speak? Would you have given her more than a quarter of a million dollars over the past few years to be a speaker?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Wayne Easter
Okay, we'll let you on in a minute, Craig.
Mr. Fortin, your system is breaking up again.
We did get the question. Gentlemen, you can answer that question and then we will go on to Mr. Morantz.
Bloc
Rhéal Fortin Bloc Rivière-du-Nord, QC
Come on. Is your system breaking up every time I have a question to ask?
Founder, WE Charity
Sir, she is more than someone's mother or someone's wife. She is someone who, in her own right, has spoken extensively on mental health and is a hero to many. We invited her because she speaks on mental health.
We invite individuals, from Gord Downie to Chantal Petitclerc, from Roméo Dallaire to James Orbinski, to inspire a variety of causes.
I understand what you're saying here, sir. Mental health is a cornerstone of our organization, and that is why she was invited.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Wayne Easter
Thank you.
We'll go to Mr. Morantz, followed by Mr. McLeod, and then we'll have a couple of short rounds—
Liberal
Annie Koutrakis Liberal Vimy, QC
On a point of order, Mr. Chair, if I may, I believe I'm the next speaker after Mr. Fortin.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Wayne Easter
Sorry about that. You are, Annie. My mistake.
We have Ms. Koutrakis, then Mr. Morantz, and we'll close with Mr. McLeod before our break.
Ms. Koutrakis.
Liberal
Annie Koutrakis Liberal Vimy, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, both, for being here today. Thank you for all the good you both have done to help children in Canada and around the world. I think it's amazing that you both started at such a young age to be engaged in such important issues, and I commend you for that.
I know that many of my colleagues have asked about this, but I think I need to ask it one more time to fully understand it myself. Do you remember how many contracts previous federal governments might have awarded to your organization, and what they were for?
Founder, WE Charity
We're happy to seek that information. We have received support from PSPC, from Heritage and from environmental...for our work we've done with youth. There's been a variety, dating back between the current government and previous governments. We have specific dollar amounts, if you'd like, that we're prepared to...or percentages of our budget.
Liberal
Annie Koutrakis Liberal Vimy, QC
Thank you for that.
To your knowledge, have federal Conservative MPs, ministers, prime ministers or individuals who are affiliated with the Conservative Party or any other opposition party appeared at WE events and/or hosted WE events?
Founder, WE Charity
Absolutely. To be very candid, we're grateful for their support.
Brian Pallister, a deep supporter of ours in Manitoba, its leader, frequently cheered on young people. We appreciate that Nazanin, Peter MacKay's spouse, has gotten on the stage on some empowerment things with us. We appreciate that, truly. Probably one of the best speeches I ever heard was actually from Mike Lake with his son on autism, as a member of Parliament raising awareness on this incredible issue.
If I may, I would also add the NDP. Rachel Notley, when she was premier, brought a call to action. Wab Kinew, the leader of the NDP in Manitoba, made multiple appearances talking about indigenous issues.
Every time we hold WE Day in a region, the local mayors and the local premiers would be invited to come out, and the local education ministers. Yes, the Prime Minister was invited. As the Prime Minister, he was invited. We also invite the Governor General. We also invite other individuals to join us at these celebrations.
Liberal
Annie Koutrakis Liberal Vimy, QC
Do you recall if, during the Harper government time, you were ever hosted at the Prime Minister's residence? Specifically, do you recall being hosted at 24 Sussex back in April 2013 after WE Day in Ottawa? Do you recall who else was there who may currently still be a Conservative MP?
Founder, WE Charity
Oh, wow, you're going back a little bit here. Yes, obviously, we appreciate Mrs. Harper hosting at 24 Sussex, where the WE Day after reception took place. We appreciate that we were joined by a number of government leaders at that time who were Conservative. Forgive me, I wouldn't know off the top of my head who was present.
We appreciate that over the years we've had support from all ranks. Truly, we appreciate that the issue of service isn't a political issue, and we hope, since it shouldn't be a political issue in this country, that every party believes in getting youth to volunteer and serve.
Liberal
Annie Koutrakis Liberal Vimy, QC
Finally, and I will give you lots of time....
With your permission, Mr. Chair, I will split my time with the Kielburger brothers, because I think it's very important to make sure that we clarify misconceptions, and the best people to clarify misconceptions are Marc and Craig Kielburger.
What are the worst misconceptions that you would like to perhaps clarify right now? Why would WE agree to take on the risk and lose $5 million in this exercise?
Founder, WE Charity
I'll start, if it's all right with you, and then I'll hand it over to Marc.
Founder, WE Charity
Okay. I'll answer it this way.
WE Charity made absolutely no money, and could never have made any money in any way on this, with the contribution agreement. This was the ask from the government. We did not submit a proactive proposal. Rachel Wernick asked us, and we fulfilled the request that came in. The WE Charity Foundation was to solve a need the government asked us to solve. We were not in financial dire straits, because we made difficult choices.
ME to WE Social Enterprises has been incredibly misrepresented in this process. It exists solely to support the charity with 100% of its profits, every penny going to the charity. The main reason it exists is creating jobs for at-risk women around the world.
The real estate, surprisingly, has exploded as an issue. We use real estate like a science centre or a school. We host young people. We have our own global learning centre. We were retrofitting a series of buildings to create a shared space for youth to launch their own social enterprises and their own youth-led charities. Somehow that's being attacked in the press now, when a few months ago it was being praised.
The list continues, but fundamentally I would say this: We did this to be of service to the government, not for the government to help us. It is incredibly unfortunate, the fallout that has occurred.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Wayne Easter
We will go to Mr. Morantz and we'll do that five-minute round. Then we'll take a seven-minute break and we'll start with Mr. McLeod.
Mr. Morantz, you have five minutes.
Conservative
Marty Morantz Conservative Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia—Headingley, MB
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Fellows, which ministers' staff members did either you or your intermediaries communicate with in April? Who, and on what dates?
Founder, WE Charity
I'm happy to speak to that. We'll send you a full list in writing, if that's all right, but I will give you an overview here.
On the seventh, there was a conversation with Amitpal Singh, who is a policy advisor in Finance. Correction: that was actually on the eighth, I believe. We'll need to check that for you, sir. Sofia was contacted, as were 11 other non-profits, asking for the impact information of what was taking place on COVID in the sector. There was a conversation that took place with Michelle Kovacevic on April 9, along with Rachel Wernick.
Sorry, forgive me, the 19th with Rachel Wernick....
We'll put this in writing.
Conservative
Marty Morantz Conservative Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia—Headingley, MB
That would be fine. I have limited time, but I appreciate all your information.
Conservative
Marty Morantz Conservative Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia—Headingley, MB
That would be great, as soon as you possibly can.
Have you or your intermediaries communicated with the Prime Minister's Office since the contribution agreement was cancelled?