Democratic Institutions  That is why the Bloc Québécois is calling for three things: first, an independent public inquiry; second, an independent and permanent investigative body; and, third, a criminal law on foreign interference to equip police services. No one will settle for an already-discredited report by the Trudeau Foundation. When will the Prime Minister realize that?

Democratic Institutions  Madam Speaker, by using the Trudeau Foundation, a Beijing influence operation was successful. For $140,000, Beijing had access to the Prime Minister and to the man the Prime Minister picked to investigate and report on foreign interference in our elections.

Democratic Institutions  The Prime Minister has very much indicated that there has been no direct or indirect contact with the Trudeau Foundation. The member knows that, and it has not taken place for over 10 years now.

Information & Ethics committee  I move: That the committee order the production of all documents in the possession of Pascale Fournier related to the matters currently being studied by this committee, and specifically concerning certain donations received by the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation, provided that these documents shall be deposited with the clerk of the committee within two business days and shall be circulated to the members of the committee, on a confidential or in camera basis, once they have been translated into both official languages.

Information & Ethics committee  I want to mention that I was just renewed for two more years with an impeccable record at the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation. I surely hope that there is not an attempt to try to say something else about me. My entire career has been built around my reputation for integrity and transparency.

Information & Ethics committee  That, in the context of its study on foreign interference and threats to the integrity of democratic institutions, intellectual property and the Canadian state, the committee calls Edward Johnson, founding member of the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation, for a 2-hour session as soon as possible. The motion was sent to the clerk in both official languages.

Information & Ethics committee  Okay, so a reasonable person looking at this could suggest that a $200,000 donation to the Trudeau Foundation, for the purpose of furthering Chinese interests in Canadian academic spaces, could be either interference or influence. Would that be fair to say?

Information & Ethics committee  If I may answer very quickly, the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation is about academic knowledge. One of the key themes is Canada and the world, so we could imagine having conferences around China, Brazil or Brussels. It could be done in an academic milieu.

Information & Ethics committee  Ultimately, what are the principle objectives of the Trudeau Foundation as to what it could do with that money? Was it to have scholarships awarded? Do you know exactly what the money was used for at any time?

Information & Ethics committee  What engagement, if any, does the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation take part in during Canada's elections?

Information & Ethics committee  How many scholarships did the Trudeau Foundation award in 2022?

Information & Ethics committee  Are there any misperceptions, or maybe inaccuracies, that have been reported about the Trudeau Foundation that you would like to clear up?

Information & Ethics committee  I will quote from it very briefly: In a letter responding to the Post’s initial report, Trudeau Foundation president Morris Rosenberg emphasized that the...foundation does not count the $200,000 donation from Chinese nationals Bin Zhang and Niu Gensheng as a foreign donation since it was made by a company registered in Canada.

Information & Ethics committee  Can you elaborate on what those emails were? Why was the PMO suddenly contacting the Trudeau Foundation about this donation?

Information & Ethics committee  You have stated that the China Cultural Industry Association had been corresponding with staff at the Trudeau Foundation. Do you believe the true source of the donation was the China Cultural Industry Association?