Finance Committee on July 28th, 2020

[Peter Julian, NDP, New Westminster—Burnaby, BC]

I'm asking about you.

[Marc Kielburger]

I understand, sir.

It has three board members, based on their 2019 filings, two of whom work for the organization.

For us, yes, we have the U.S. entities, and as part of our own Korn Ferry review, we're evaluating those entities. We need to look exactly at this very specific information you're being asked about, and we're doing so.

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

Your final question, Peter?

[Peter Julian, NDP, New Westminster—Burnaby, BC]

Yes. On the issue of the insurance policies that were signed in regard to this particular contract with ESDC, will you make those available to the committee? The liability issue, of course, is fundamental. We have heard testimony that the federal government was put at great risk by proceeding the way it chose to proceed, so of course having the information about insurance policies in place would be absolutely vital.

Will you share all of that information with the committee?

[Marc Kielburger]

I have two points, sir.

Yes, we'll share it.

The only organization that was being asked to be put at risk was WE Charity, by ESDC, by asking us to take 40,000 young people and assume full liability.

[Peter Julian, NDP, New Westminster—Burnaby, BC]

That's why you put it in a shell foundation.

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

Peter, I think the individuals have said several times that it's not a shell organization.

[Peter Julian, NDP, New Westminster—Burnaby, BC]

It is the very definition of a shell foundation. There are no assets.

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

We will have to determine that.

[Rhéal Fortin, Bloc, Rivière-du-Nord, QC]

It is.

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

Okay. We have four questioners left, and we'll have to go to four-minute rounds.

We have Mr. Morantz, Mr. McLeod, Mr. Poilievre and Ms. Koutrakis.

Mr. Morantz.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Carleton, ON]

I'm taking Mr. Morantz's time.

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

Okay, Mr. Poilievre, you have a four-minute round.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Carleton, ON]

Paragraph 5.1 of the contribution agreement allows monies to be spent on salary from this contribution agreement.

Was there anything in the agreement that banned either of you from receiving that money?

[Craig Kielburger]

Sir, we are not paid by WE Charity, and we have never been paid by WE Charity. This was established. The entity that pays us, sir, is ME to WE Social Enterprise, which is not a party to this contract.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Carleton, ON]

ME to WE, though, is a subcontractor to this contract.

[Craig Kielburger]

That is incorrect, sir. ME to WE—

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Carleton, ON]

It is right here in the middle of the agreement.

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

Mr. Poilievre, you can quote that part of the agreement if you'd like, and we'll allow the Kielburgers to answer.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Carleton, ON]

ME to We Foundation is listed in 18.4 as a subcontractor to WE Foundation of Canada. It's right there. It's true, unlike what you've just suggested.

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

Okay, and now we'll go to the answer, please.

[Craig Kielburger]

As per my statement, sir, ME to We Social Enterprise pays us. ME to WE Social Enterprise was established as distinct and separate from ME to We Foundation, sir. The WE Foundation administers—

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

Mr. Poilievre, we'll go to the answer, please.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Carleton, ON]

Right, hard to—

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Carleton, ON]

We're waiting for the answer.