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.
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Carleton, ON
She's a public servant.
Again, just to make sure, have you communicated with anybody in the Prime Minister's Office since March 1?
Former Staff Member, Government and Stakeholder Relations, WE Charity, As an Individual
Since March 1, I was only in communication with two people at the Prime Minister's Office. Allow me to make sure that I'm very clear. It was on May 5, with a staffer, a director of policy. His name is Rick Theis. I emailed as well another person. Her name is Laura Lebel.
Former Staff Member, Government and Stakeholder Relations, WE Charity, As an Individual
That was on May....
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Carleton, ON
Come back to it later in the meeting. We don't have time.
How long was your conversation with the PMO policy director on May 5?
Former Staff Member, Government and Stakeholder Relations, WE Charity, As an Individual
It was very brief. It was a very high-level conversation of about half an hour. It was a debrief of the current state of the proposal that had already been in the works with ESDC. We provided context as to the latest development on the proposal.
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Carleton, ON
Did you get any assurance that WE Charity could begin implementing the proposal on May 5?
Former Staff Member, Government and Stakeholder Relations, WE Charity, As an Individual
Not at all.
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Carleton, ON
How did WE think it was authorized to start implementing a government program if no one in the government had authorized you to do so on the 5th?
Former Staff Member, Government and Stakeholder Relations, WE Charity, As an Individual
That's a question that I cannot respond to. I was not involved in the contribution agreement negotiation process.
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Carleton, ON
Okay, but there was no contribution agreement for another month and a half, so somebody told you over at WE that you could go and start spending money, hiring people and implementing the program. Who told you that?
Former Staff Member, Government and Stakeholder Relations, WE Charity, As an Individual
Again, I was not involved in those conversations. It would have been the executives at WE Charity who would have had.... I have no idea.
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Carleton, ON
Was it Mrs. Al-Waheidi who told you that you could start implementing the program? Just the name, please.
Executive Director, WE Charity
We have worked with a few individuals within ESDC on the contribution agreement—
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Carleton, ON
No, that's not my question. I'm sorry, I do have to cut you off. I'm not asking about the contribution agreement.
Conservative
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Carleton, ON
We are limited in time because the witnesses are planning to skedaddle out the door early. My question is not about the contribution agreement. It would not be concluded for another six weeks. My question is about who authorized them to start on the 5th.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Wayne Easter
That's not a point of order. It's a matter of debate. I don't think it's fair to say that the witnesses are skedaddling out the door. I'll not take the time away from you. They agreed to be here for an hour, and it's unfair to imply that.
Mrs. Al-Waheidi, complete your response, and we'll move on to Mr. Poilievre.
Executive Director, WE Charity
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
We started a conversation with ESDC about the contribution agreement and on the program design as of May 5. During that time it is not uncommon for contribution agreement negotiations for organizations to claim—
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Carleton, ON
Who told you that you could start implementing the program and spending money on May 5?
Executive Director, WE Charity
We were in negotiation about the program at that time.
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Carleton, ON
I know that, but you began implementing the program on May 5. Somebody ought to have told you that you could do that. Who was it?