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
Have you had any contact with any members of the Cabinet in Ottawa, other than Mr. Morneau and Mr. Trudeau?
Founder, WE Charity
Sorry; do you mean since the program, over the past 10 years?
Bloc
Rhéal Fortin Bloc Rivière-du-Nord, QC
In the past two years, say, have you had any contact with members of the Cabinet in Ottawa?
Founder, WE Charity
Yes, sir. I can tell you with certainty that on the date of April 7, I had an introductory phone call for the first time with Minister Ng. She represents the home riding that WE Charity started in, Thornhill. On that call, she expressed the desire to help young people start small businesses. We had a proposal, and I submitted the proposal to her two days later on that topic, sir. I can also confirm—
Bloc
Rhéal Fortin Bloc Rivière-du-Nord, QC
Mr. Kielburger, I am sorry to interrupt. That is interesting, but I fear it may take up more than the five minutes allotted to me.
All I want to know is the names of ministers you have had discussions with over the past two years.
Founder, WE Charity
We will get that to you, sir. I can say with certainty that since January, we've had conversations with Minister Ng, Minister Chagger and Minister Morneau. For contact prior to that point, I would have to do a more extensive search.
Bloc
Rhéal Fortin Bloc Rivière-du-Nord, QC
Every time, it was in connection with Government of Canada grant programs. Is that correct?
Founder, WE Charity
The conversation with Minister Ng was an introductory conversation. There was no expectation of a grant. With Minister Chagger, the first conversation—actually, in fact none of those conversations were in relation, initially, to grants.
Bloc
Rhéal Fortin Bloc Rivière-du-Nord, QC
Could you provide us with a list of the ministers with whom either of you has had discussions over the past two years, including dates and topics discussed?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Wayne Easter
It's your last question, Mr. Fortin.
Mr. Fortin, are you frozen? It's your last question, Mr. Fortin. Your line froze on us.
Bloc
Rhéal Fortin Bloc Rivière-du-Nord, QC
Mr. Kielburger, what is WE Charity's network in Quebec? Do you have branches, business offices or representatives in Quebec?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Wayne Easter
Mr. Fortin, we'll come back to you a little later. The conversation is breaking up and can't be translated.
We're going to Mr. Angus. Mr. Angus, you have six minutes.
NDP
Charlie Angus NDP Timmins—James Bay, ON
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, gentlemen, for participating today.
The question that interests us is the question of accountability, because a huge amount of money was given to your organization, and Canadians are asking questions.
We heard from the chair of your board that she was denied access to financial records, that she was denied access to your chief financial officer, and that when she pushed for those answers, Marc, you hung up on her. Is that how you guys do business when you're challenged?
NDP
Charlie Angus NDP Timmins—James Bay, ON
I'm sorry, but Marc hung up on her. I'm asking about Marc. She said Marc hung up on her.
Founder, WE Charity
Sir, we're grateful for the 14 years with Michelle. We have great respect for her. The time of the pandemic was extremely challenging for many Canadians. Lots of Canadian businesses—
NDP
Founder, WE Charity
Sir, I don't feel that's a proper characterization of the series of events. We were providing nearly daily briefings to members of the board under the circumstances. We had to make very quick decisions, as many Canadian organizations and non-profits had—
NDP
Charlie Angus NDP Timmins—James Bay, ON
Okay, I get that. Thank you.
Craig, you called next and demanded that she resign. Craig, was it that you didn't like the fact that she was asking for financials and then you said you wanted her gone, and then you cleared the board? If there aren't those kinds of accountability mechanisms within your organization, that raises red flags.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Wayne Easter
All right, we'll give time to Craig, who's going to answer.
Go ahead, Mr. Kielburger.
Founder, WE Charity
There are two things that are being brought together here. One is a process that started in the fall of 2019 for board renewal. Names were identified, and conversations took place with board members—
NDP
Charlie Angus NDP Timmins—James Bay, ON
That's not the question. The question is that you demanded she resign. You kicked her out.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Wayne Easter
Mr. Angus, we'll see where this goes, but we will allow an answer and then we can go to a supplementary.
Go ahead, Mr. Kielburger.