Could you elaborate on that?
Evidence of meeting #143 for Public Accounts in the 44th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was sdtc.
A video is available from Parliament.
Evidence of meeting #143 for Public Accounts in the 44th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was sdtc.
A video is available from Parliament.
Board Director, Sustainable Development Technology Canada
We brought independent reviewers on board. They will look independently at each project vis-à-vis its eligibility, which is the outstanding recommendation of the Auditor General. They will then provide their independent recommendations regarding the eligibility of the project. Then the board will take appropriate action based on the outcomes of those reviews.
Liberal
Board Director, Sustainable Development Technology Canada
Yes, we asked for reviewers who have technical expertise as well, because that is one of the things the Auditor General noted in her report would be important for a good-quality review. They need to look at all of the aspects of every project to make sure it is eligible as a good, solid, sustainable development technology project.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative John Williamson
Thank you. That is the time.
We now go to Ms. Sinclair‑Desgagné.
You may go ahead for six minutes.
Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné Bloc Terrebonne, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Good morning, Ms. Morgan.
Can you just confirm that no company is receiving funding from SDTC?
Conservative
The Chair Conservative John Williamson
Just a moment, Ms. Sinclair‑Desgagné.
Can you hear me now?
It's working. All right.
Please start over, Ms. Sinclair‑Desgagné. You have six minutes.
Bloc
Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné Bloc Terrebonne, QC
Ms. Morgan, can you confirm that no company has received funding from SDTC since the beginning of 2024?
Board Director, Sustainable Development Technology Canada
I'm not quite sure I understand the question. I don't think any company has received funding from SDTC. Funding for SDTC has been paused since last October.
Bloc
Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné Bloc Terrebonne, QC
All right.
This is a yes or no question.
Of all the companies, none has received funding from SDTC, even those that had a contribution agreement and were already in the system. No company has received a single cent from SDTC since the beginning of the year.
Is that correct?
Board Director, Sustainable Development Technology Canada
As I was only appointed to the board in June, I would be happy to seek clarification on that.
My understanding is that funding has generally been paused, although there may have been a very small number of exceptions.
Bloc
Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné Bloc Terrebonne, QC
Ms. Morgan, please check because it is rather important.
Conservative
Board Director, Sustainable Development Technology Canada
Yes, it's fine now.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative John Williamson
I appreciate your remarks in general, but if you could be as precise as possible in responding—you and your team—to Madame Sinclair-Desgagné, that would be helpful.
You have five minutes and 10 seconds left, Ms. Sinclair‑Desgagné.
Bloc
Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné Bloc Terrebonne, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Ms. Morgan, have you, personally, looked at a contribution agreement between a company and SDTC? You've been on the board of directors for four months now, so have you had a detailed look at a contract?
Board Director, Sustainable Development Technology Canada
I have familiarized myself with the legislation and the updated contribution agreement, and I am receiving independent advice on the contribution agreement.
Bloc
Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné Bloc Terrebonne, QC
All right, but have you had a close look at a standard funding contract between a company and the Department of Industry or SDTC?
Board Director, Sustainable Development Technology Canada
As a board member, I have not personally reviewed individual contribution agreements with companies, but I have reviewed the general eligibility criteria and will review assessments as they're done.
Bloc
Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné Bloc Terrebonne, QC
Thank you. I have a lot of questions and not a lot of time.
Are you aware that every contract contains a clause stipulating that the contract can be cancelled only if the company misrepresents itself? That means the contract cannot be cancelled if the mistake is on SDTC's end. If a company that shouldn't have obtained funding did obtain funding, it will continue to receive taxpayer money because SDTC is responsible for the mistake, not the company. That is true whether there's a conflict of interest involving SDTC or SDTC makes a mistake regarding the company's eligibility.
Were you aware of that, Ms. Morgan?
Board Director, Sustainable Development Technology Canada
We have established a clear process to review every single project on an individual basis. Decisions around funding and the restart of funding will be made only once each of those individual reviews has happened.
Bloc
Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné Bloc Terrebonne, QC
I'll ask my question a different way.
The Auditor General found that a number of projects were ineligible. Have you asked the consultants reviewing the projects to also review the projects that the Auditor General found to be ineligible?
Board Director, Sustainable Development Technology Canada
Yes, the Auditor General's recommendation was that all of the projects be reviewed—