Finance committee  Personally, Chair, I'd have to say for the committee that it was not during that time at all that I personally was aware of the proposal from WE Charity. Colleagues were, so I will answer the question in the context of the Privy Council Office as a whole, if that is acceptable to

Finance committee  Okay. There was an earlier proposal, I understand, which came in early April, if I remember correctly. It related to an idea, a program, that in the end was not funded.

Finance committee  There were two cabinet discussions, one by the COVID committee and then ratification at cabinet near the end of May. We were not aware of any connection of the finance minister. The Prime Minister's involvement with the charity over a long period of time, of course, was in the p

Finance committee  As will be shown by the timeline that I can provide the committee, the Prime Minister was briefed prior to cabinet meetings and on at least one other occasion discussing the development of the program, the options, the design features, etc.

Finance committee  In the meetings to which I refer, Chair, I am speaking about the Prime Minister.

Finance committee  At that stage of the development, for example, when the recommendation was fully formed that we were recommending the WE Charity as the third party partner, yes, the Prime Minister was personally involved, of course.

Finance committee  As I said in response to Mr. Poilievre's question, Chair, of course there would be scrutiny of any organization and its ability to deliver a program if it was envisaged that it would be the vehicle for that task. Issues of the financial—

Finance committee  As I indicated, Chair, no financial flags were raised through this process about the WE Charity. To the best of my knowledge, officials did not engage in detailed scrutiny of the financial affairs of the organization. I stand to be corrected by subsequent testimony, but to the be

Finance committee  The Prime Minister's chief of staff, given the scale of the program, did make the point, which was accepted by everyone, that due diligence and care needed to be exercised with regard to WE Charity. Ms. Telford was not referring to the financial integrity of the organization. Tho

Finance committee  It was likely sometime in late April, but in general terms.

Finance committee  Thank you very much, Chair. With apologies to Mr. Fortin, perhaps it would be better if I just spoke in English. That will save confusion of [Inaudible—Editor] of the technology back and forth, if that would be agreeable.

Finance committee  In English or French?

Finance committee  Okay, I'm having a little difficulty navigating the screen here, Chair, so I think for that reason I will respond in English. I became aware of the involvement of WE Charity in a general way. I hope the committee will appreciate that a vast range of issues were going on at a ver

Finance committee  Yes, of course. From PCO, there was the deputy secretary who supports cabinet, Philip Jennings, and the deputy secretary who is responsible for our operations, including many of the relationships with other departments, Thao Pham. Both of those officials—at least one or the othe

Finance committee  I wouldn't say, Chair, that there is a precise process or any established methodology. Every situation is unique. Every issue of conflict of interest or its appearance has its own unique context. In this case, the issue was not raised, as I indicated in response to Mr. Poilievre'