Go ahead, Mr. Fraser.
Evidence of meeting #4 for Finance in the 43rd Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was documents.
A video is available from Parliament.
Evidence of meeting #4 for Finance in the 43rd Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was documents.
A video is available from Parliament.
5:35 p.m.
Liberal
Sean Fraser Liberal Central Nova, NS
I think discussing the methodology that was employed to make redactions is relevant when the subamendment that's on the floor and being debated deals with those very redactions. Whether those redactions were appropriate or not might be a different question, but the relevance to the subamendment is there—
5:35 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Wayne Easter
If that is where Ms. Koutrakis is going, it would indeed be relevant.
Ms. Koutrakis.
5:35 p.m.
Liberal
Annie Koutrakis Liberal Vimy, QC
Yes, I'm attempting to explain the methodology used for the redaction of the documents. I believe it's very relevant to the subamendment that we are discussing here today.
When it became obvious that the pandemic was extremely serious, back in March and April, the Government of Canada focused its efforts on providing Canadians with help as quickly as possible. For Employment and Social Development Canada, this meant protecting Canadian workers and employers, Canadian families and also Canadian students from some of the economic impacts of COVID-19. The department's priority—and we've heard this time and time again—was to establish, implement and quickly distribute the CERB, working with the Canada Revenue Agency, as well as to put in place other much-needed supports such as the Canada emergency student benefit.
Our public servants—and I said this again yesterday in my comments—worked around the clock to support the government's response and ensured that Canadians had the supports they needed when they needed them most. Despite these challenges, the department was able to deliver quickly and efficiently so that Canadians received the support they needed.
What were some of the supports for students? Well, we all know that young people have been facing serious challenges during this pandemic, throughout the summer and still today. This is why a series of measures for students and youth were put in place to help them in these trying times. Let me remind everyone of a few measures that were put in place.
We put in place a six-month interest-free moratorium on repayment of Canada student loans. We put forward the Canada emergency student benefit, which provided support to students and new graduates who were not eligible for the CERB. We doubled the Canada student grants for all eligible full-time students, for students with permanent disabilities and for students with dependants.
5:35 p.m.
NDP
Peter Julian NDP New Westminster—Burnaby, BC
On a point of order, are we still on the subamendment, Mr. Chair?
5:35 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Wayne Easter
The subamendment and the whole amendment, really, relate to what the government did for students. Is that not correct? I'd think it would be relevant.
Ms. Koutrakis.
5:35 p.m.
Liberal
Annie Koutrakis Liberal Vimy, QC
These are just a few measures of the many that were put in place to help students and youth. Furthermore, a general call-out was made to relevant departments, including ESDC, in order to provide options to enhance existing youth- and student-related programs. This was in response to the government's desire to develop a comprehensive package to help students.
The government wanted it to include a volunteer-service component, so a full series of student measures were pulled together to make up a student package. At the end of April the Prime Minister announced a range of measures to assist students during this crisis. These included improvements to the Canada service corps program delivered by ESDC and the new Canada student service grant. As we have said many times before, it was determined that the most effective and efficient delivery approach would be one through a third party, funded through a contribution agreement.
ESDC delivers a range of programs and services that have a direct impact on Canadians of all ages. These provide seniors with basic income security, support unemployed workers, help students finance their post-secondary education and assist parents who are raising young children. None of these programs has stopped during the pandemic.
I would also like to point out that during the period in question, ESDC, including its delivery arm Service Canada, was completely consumed with the program design and implementation of numerous emergency measures—
5:40 p.m.
NDP
Peter Julian NDP New Westminster—Burnaby, BC
On a point of order, Mr. Chair, I'm sorry, but this is not relevant at all. I've been patient. I certainly accepted that she was coming back to the subamendment, but this has no relationship to the subamendment or the documents, not at all. In terms of relevance, if the government wants, doesn't have anything further to say, certainly we can go to a vote.
5:40 p.m.
Liberal
5:40 p.m.
Liberal
5:40 p.m.
Liberal
Peter Fragiskatos Liberal London North Centre, ON
Mr. Julian is making something of a habit of this. Ms. Koutrakis is trying to get through her speech. She's shown time and again that her words are relevant and you've ruled in favour every time.
5:40 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Wayne Easter
Okay. I think we're into a bit of a debate here.
I'll just say to Ms. Koutrakis to keep in mind to circle back to the subamendment to the amendment to the motion so that it is relevant.
Go ahead. The floor is yours.
5:40 p.m.
Liberal
Annie Koutrakis Liberal Vimy, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I will attempt to do that.
I'll just to remind everybody that “[o]penness, transparency and accountability are guiding principles” of ESDC and the federal government as a whole. The public servants at ESDC worked for many weeks to gather and prepare the documents requested by the committee. Let me assure you that principles of being open and transparent were applied in preparing the package to respond to the production of papers motion on WE Charity.
Department officials also applied principles laid out in the Access to Information Act when assessing the documents to ensure, among other things, the protection of personal information and cabinet confidence. While more than 97% of the information was released in its entirety, less than 3% was redacted due to exemptions based on sections 16, 19, 21 and 69 of the act. I will provide more information on each of these sections shortly.
First of all, I would like to point out that ATIP “gives Canadian citizens, permanent residents and any person or corporation present in Canada a right to access records of government institutions that are subject to the Act”. It's also important to point out that:
The Act complements other policies and procedures that are intended to make government information publicly available, such as open government initiatives and proactive disclosure of travel and hospitality expenses, contracts and other frequently requested information.
In the case relevant to this motion, a large volume of records were initially identified as being relevant to the motion. In addition to the motion, the ESDC ATIP office received over 70 requests on the same subject matter. These requests are all being processed formally under the ATIP process.
Let me give you a few examples of the ATIP requests that were received.
One was a request to disclose “all correspondence with WE Charity and ME to WE regarding delivery of the Canada student service grant, as well as any contracts with either of the two organizations regarding the same from April 2020 to June 26, 2020”.
One was to provide “a copy of all decks, presentations and analysis in the possession of Employment and Social Development Canada since March 15, 2020 regarding the administration of the CSSG”.
One was to provide “a copy of all briefing notes to the ADM level and above regarding the administration of the Canada student service grant between between March 15, 2020 and present”—June 29, 2020”.
Another one was to provide “the emails, briefing notes, agendas, minutes, recordings and a list of participants regarding the organization, set-up, consultations and event itself of every meeting involving the Minister of Employment and Social Development mentioning iwanttohelp.org”.
In total, ESDC received 72 access to information and privacy requests. It is to be noted that, out of those requests, the ATIP office was able to offer the release package provided to the finance committee to requesters who agreed to receiving the package responsive to their requests. As such, some of the requests listed are now completed. As for the remainder of the requests, they will be responded to upon completion of the processes required under the ATI Act.
I will now attempt to address how ESDC processes ATIP requests.
5:45 p.m.
NDP
Peter Julian NDP New Westminster—Burnaby, BC
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I think you've been very patient and I think we've been very patient, but this is not relevant to the subamendment. There is just no relevance to it. It's a speech. It has nothing to do with the subamendment.
5:45 p.m.
Liberal
5:45 p.m.
Liberal
Peter Fragiskatos Liberal London North Centre, ON
I would simply and very respectfully ask my colleague to allow Ms. Koutrakis to finish what she is saying, and to take it all in, and at that point he can decide whether it's relevant. I'm thinking it's relevant, and I haven't heard other members object.
5:45 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Wayne Easter
Okay. I'm going to interrupt here. There are capacity problems on the Hill for committees to meet. The fisheries committee is meeting with witnesses, and if we cramp them, they will not be able to do their duty with the trouble that's happening on the water tonight. With that, I am suspending the meeting.
The meeting is suspended.