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.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Wayne Easter
Order. We're going to lose more time rather than gain more time.
The question has been asked, Mr. Kielburger, if you could answer it.
I'll not take this time away from you, Pierre, but there is a little bit of trouble with your microphones somehow, fellows. I don't know if you have to speak more slowly or what, but it's coming through a little jumpy.
Could you answer Mr. Poilievre's question?
Founder, WE Charity
I'd be happy to answer any question with the appropriate time. Would you repeat your question?
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Carleton, ON
Yes, I'll repeat it for the fifth time. Did you speak to anyone in the Prime Minister's Office on April 23, yes or no?
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Carleton, ON
Thank you very much.
Did Margaret Trudeau get paid for her presentation at the July 2, 2017, Canada 150 event?
Founder, WE Charity
Sir, we've checked our records. We have no record of payment for her for that event.
Just to further elaborate, that—
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Carleton, ON
Thank you. You were very clear, and I appreciate the answer.
Did Sacha, Margaret or Sophie Trudeau ever get paid to speak at a WE Day event?
Founder, WE Charity
Sacha, Margaret or Sophie Trudeau were paid, yes. In fact, can I take a moment to speak to this?
We appreciate—
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Carleton, ON
No, you did answer the question. I appreciate the answer—
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Wayne Easter
No, he asked for more time, and I'm giving him more time.
Go ahead, Mr. Kielburger.
Founder, WE Charity
We were originally asked the question in the crush of literally hundreds of media questions that we received in the context of the CSSG, which was a government-funded program, and we made the statement that WE Charity had never provided funding to a member of the Trudeau family to speak at WE Day. At the time, we believed that statement to be true.
Founder, WE Charity
However, if I may, there's the social enterprise, which provided that information. We should have been, and allow me to say this candidly, more forthright in acknowledging that the social enterprise provided sponsorship. When it was brought to our attention that there were errors in the billing, we acknowledged it. We acknowledged it in national newspaper ads and we apologized.
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Carleton, ON
Yes, okay, fair enough; none of this is related to my question. I trust the chair is not taking this from my time.
In addition to the speaking fees that the Trudeaus have received, what is the total amount your organizations, including WE but not limited to it, have paid in expenses, benefits, reimbursements, fees or any other consideration, in kind or monetary, for Sophie Trudeau?
Founder, WE Charity
Sir, I'm happy to do that.
It's part of our regular course of activities that when a speaker does come, of course we speak to their compensation—
Conservative
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Wayne Easter
We will allow witnesses to answer how they so decide. The witnesses have the floor.
Founder, WE Charity
Within the normal course of business, of course, when people do come to WE Day, we also provide them with reimbursement for their direct costs. The information we have readily available, to the best of our knowledge, sir, is that Sacha, or Alexandre, Trudeau came to eight WE days over a span of two years. The average expense was $2,447.
Founder, WE Charity
No. It came to a total of 28 WE days over a span of five years, specifically speaking on the issue of mental health. From 2016 to 2022, including groups like We Day in the United Kingdom, which of course had an impact on the costs, the average expense there was $5,998. Sophie Trudeau came to a total of seven WE Days over a span of three years. The average expense was $3,618.
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Carleton, ON
Can you just add up those expenses into totals for each of them?