7.88°C Vancouver

Jul 16, 2020 3:42 PM -

Commons finance committee to begin probing WE Charity's volunteering contract

Share On
commons-finance-committee-to-begin-probing-we-charitys-volunteering-contract
Liberal Bardish Chagger responds to a question during Question Period in the House of Commons, Tuesday, February 26, 2019 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

The first of multiple parliamentary investigations of the federal government's aborted deal with WE Charity to run a volunteering program begins this afternoon.

The House of Commons finance committee is set to hear from Youth Minister Bardish Chagger and some senior public servants as it probes how WE got a sole-sourced contract to administer the $900-million program.

The Canada Student Service Grant is aimed at students who haven't been able to find work this summer, offering up to $5,000 toward education costs in exchange for 500 hours of volunteering.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has admitted he should have recused himself from the decision to award the contract, given his family's links to the group co-founded by brothers Craig and Marc Kielburger.

WE gave up the contract amid the controversy two weeks ago.

The government has since taken control of the program, but has been struggling with the details while the summer ticks by.

Latest news

u-s-may-remove-50-tariffs-on-some-canadian-agricultural-products
CanadaOct 23, 2026

U.S. May Remove 50% Tariffs on Some Canadian Agricultural Products

The United States may remove 50 per cent tariffs on certain Canadian agricultural products, according to a Wall Street Journal report. The announcement could come as early as today, potentially helping Republican candidates, including Maine Senator Susan Collins, ahead of the November 3 midterm elections. Collins has also confirmed that she secured tariff exemptions for several Canadian agricultural products important to Maine’s economy. In a post on X, she said she was pleased to secure relief for producers of key agricultural products, including blueberries, potatoes, apples and seaweed. A
CanadaOct 23, 2026

Loblaw Cyberattack May Have Exposed Data of Nearly 2 Million Canadians

Canadian supermarket chain Loblaw has warned that the personal information of nearly two million Canadians may have been affected by a cyberattack in March. The company has started notifying affected customers directly. The potentially exposed information includes names, email addresses, home addresses, dates of birth, loyalty card numbers, details of certain purchase orders and partial payment card information. However, Loblaw confirmed that passwords, health information and credit card numbers were not compromised. According to the company, suspicious activity was detected on its IT network
bc-conservatives-target-david-ebys-vancouver-point-grey-riding
BCOct 23, 2026

BC Conservatives Target David Eby’s Vancouver-Point Grey Riding

The BC Conservatives are focusing their campaign today on Vancouver-Point Grey, the riding of BC NDP Leader David Eby. Although Conservative Leader Lorne Doerkson has no media events listed for today, reports suggest he is campaigning alongside candidates in Vancouver-Point Grey, Vancouver-Quilchena and Vancouver-Langara. Meanwhile, Eby was back in Surrey today, where he expressed confidence in winning his seat again. Speaking to reporters, Eby said he has been working for the people of Vancouver-Point Grey for the past 13 years and that residents know him personally. Eby also expressed optimi
rahul-gandhi-likely-to-visit-punjab-ahead-of-assembly-elections
IndiaOct 23, 2026

Rahul Gandhi Likely to Visit Punjab Ahead of Assembly Elections

Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is expected to visit Punjab soon ahead of the state Assembly elections. To review preparations and finalize the itinerary for his proposed visit, Congress general secretary K.C. Venugopal will arrive in Chandigarh on October 26. During his one-day visit, Venugopal will hold high-level meetings with senior Punjab Congress leaders and party office-bearers. The meetings will focus on finalizing the overall schedule and programmes for Rahul Gandhi’s visit. According to information, Venugopal will also meet representatives of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committ
BCOct 23, 2026

Fire Causes Heavy Damage to Two-Storey Home in Surrey’s Bridgeview Area

A fire broke out at a two-storey home in Surrey’s Bridgeview area on Thursday night. According to the Surrey Fire Service, crews were called to a home in the 10900-block of Olsen Road, near Old Yale Road, at around 11 p.m. Upon arrival, emergency responders encountered intense flames and thick smoke. The fire and smoke were reportedly visible from New Westminster. Several firefighters and fire trucks worked to bring the blaze under control. The fire caused significant damage to the home, but no injuries were reported. The Surrey Fire Service said no one was inside the house at the time of th

Related News