Evidence of meeting #51 for Finance in the 43rd Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was youth.
A video is available from Parliament.
Chief Executive Officer, Katimavik
I would say it was towards the end of May, around May 26.
Conservative
Michael Cooper Conservative St. Albert—Edmonton, AB
Your agreement had been more or less finalized by when?
Conservative
Michael Cooper Conservative St. Albert—Edmonton, AB
If you could undertake to provide the committee with a copy of that agreement, it would be helpful.
Could you elaborate on the scope of the activities that Katimavik would be involved in?
Chief Executive Officer, Katimavik
Yes. Essentially, as you know, we link youth volunteers with charitable placements across the country. When were invited to participate through this partnership, it was said at the time that, because we had access to a number of placements across Canada in non-profit and charitable organizations, and also had access to youth volunteers, this was essentially the nature of our work. It was about using those opportunities and names.
Conservative
Michael Cooper Conservative St. Albert—Edmonton, AB
Was Katimavik at any time invited to make a proposal to administer the CSSG?
Conservative
Marty Morantz Conservative Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia—Headingley, MB
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I'll just follow up on that line of questioning.
Your organization is part of the Canada service corps. Is that correct?
Conservative
Marty Morantz Conservative Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia—Headingley, MB
Did ESDC ever reach out to your organization to discuss what you could do in terms of programming in the COVID context?
Chief Executive Officer, Katimavik
I recall a phone conversation, although I don't remember the date exactly, during which ESDC indicated that they were going to be using a third party to launch a program in support of students and that various organizations within the CSC would be contacted to play a role. At that time, in that call, I wasn't aware or told what organization it was. I learned that later.
Conservative
Marty Morantz Conservative Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia—Headingley, MB
I have a record of that call. It was on April 15. What did you say they told you? Was it that different organizations in CSC would be contacted to assist in providing the CSSG? Is that what you said?
Chief Executive Officer, Katimavik
I said it was in supporting the work of the CSSG and participating in different ways. The plan only became clear to me when we were contacted by WE Charity directly, essentially.
Conservative
Marty Morantz Conservative Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia—Headingley, MB
That call, though, being on April 15, would have been seven days before the Prime Minister announced the CSSG and several weeks before it came to cabinet. Was the CSSG explicitly mentioned in that call to you by ESDC?
Chief Executive Officer, Katimavik
No. I should say, Mr. Morantz, that I'm not sure the date you referenced is the date of the call that I'm recalling. I'm sorry, but I don't remember the date of the call that I was on.
Conservative
Marty Morantz Conservative Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia—Headingley, MB
Could you check that and get back to the committee?
Chief Executive Officer, Katimavik
Sure. Did I answer your second question?
Conservative
Marty Morantz Conservative Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia—Headingley, MB
Sure.
Just out of curiosity, do you believe that the WE organization was the only organization in Canada, outside of the public service, that could have provided the CSSG, given the number of really large and impressive charities in Canada, like, for example, the YMCA and others?
Chief Executive Officer, Katimavik
I've heard comments made that WE Charity was the only charity that had the capacity to deliver it. I think I would create a distinction with respect to capacity versus infrastructure. A number of charities across Canada.... I mean, at Katimavik this is what we do. We place volunteers with charitable organizations.
Conservative
Marty Morantz Conservative Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia—Headingley, MB
I have limited time. I have one quick last question.
Conservative
Marty Morantz Conservative Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia—Headingley, MB
I'll go back to the subcontract that you were negotiating and almost got signed. What was the dollar amount of the contract that you would have entered into with WE Charity or WE Charity Foundation?
Chief Executive Officer, Katimavik
At the time we were told that it would be $25,000 for the first 100 youth entered into the program through Katimavik. It was up to a maximum of $50,000 if we were able to provide another 100.
