Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I'd like to come back to a motion of which I gave notice in June. Unfortunately, we didn't have the opportunity to debate it before the summer break. Today, in somewhat special circumstances as we return, I'd like to come back to this motion, which I will explain in a few words before I read it.
We all agreed to conduct a study on the actions and management of the Trudeau Foundation. We've heard from a number of witnesses, but others have not yet appeared. The subcommittee decided not to have another meeting on the Trudeau Foundation with those remaining witnesses. I'm sure you're all aware of the subcommittee discussions and have been briefed by representatives of each party.
To ensure that we follow through on this study and it doesn't get left in limbo, I'd like the Auditor General to review whatever is within her purview to audit, that is to say the original staffing agreement between the Government of Canada and the Trudeau Foundation. If memory serves, the foundation received $125 million, and so it had responsibilities, objectives and criteria to meet.
I therefore move that the committee ask the Auditor General to conduct an investigation into the funding agreement between the government and the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation regarding the Advanced Research in the Humanities and Human Sciences Fund, particularly with respect to the foundation meeting its obligations under this agreement and under Part II of the Canada Corporations Act. We're talking about the agreement and the act by which the foundation is bound.
As a final point, it's highly unusual for a foundation bearing the name of an individual to receive public funding. There are many foundations that bear the names of individuals, such as the Fondation Marcelle‑et‑Jean‑Coutu and the Fondation J.‑Armand‑Bombardier. They play a role in our community, but they have never received public funding, unlike the Trudeau Foundation. That carries some responsibilities, and we just want to make sure the Auditor General confirms that the foundation has met those responsibilities. These are criteria in the agreement and in the laws that apply to the Trudeau Foundation.
I'd like to get this motion passed quickly and efficiently, but if you have any comments, please feel free to share them.