11.76°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

german-energy-firm-signals-interest-in-lng-supply-from-proposed-ksi-lisims-project
BCJun 08, 2026

German Energy Firm Signals Interest in LNG Supply from Proposed Ksi Lisims Project

A second German energy company has expressed interest in purchasing liquefied natural gas from the proposed Ksi Lisims LNG project on British Columbia’s North Coast. Project partners announced they have signed a memorandum of understanding with Germany-based Uniper that could see the company purchase up to two million tonnes of LNG annually beginning in 2032. The agreement is non-binding and remains subject to further negotiations and project development. The announcement follows a separate deal reached last month between Ksi Lisims LNG and German energy company SEFE. Under that agreement, S
canada-post-warns-of-possible-mail-service-disruptions-in-toronto-and-vancouver-during-fifa-world-cup
CanadaJun 08, 2026

Canada Post warns of possible mail service disruptions in Toronto and Vancouver during FIFA World Cup

Canada Post is warning residents in parts of Toronto and Vancouver that mail delivery services may be affected during the FIFA World Cup tournament this summer. In an announcement released Monday, Canada Post said mail delivery could be disrupted in areas near match venues and related event sites due to security measures and road closures associated with the tournament. According to Canada Post, any mail that cannot be delivered because of access restrictions or safety concerns will be securely held at local depots and delivered on a priority basis on the next business day. The postal service
AlbertaJun 08, 2026

Alberta launches major recruitment drive for referendum workers ahead of October vote

Elections Alberta has launched what it describes as one of the largest referendum staffing campaigns ever undertaken in Canada as the province prepares for a provincewide vote scheduled for October 19. The agency says it needs approximately 60,000 workers to administer and count ballots for 10 referendum questions that will be put to Alberta voters. Under provincial rules, ballot counting must be completed within 48 hours of polls closing. One of the referendum questions will ask Albertans whether the province should remain part of Canada or begin the legal process required to hold a binding r
magnitude-7-8-earthquake-strikes-near-mindanao-at-least-32-dead-as-tsunami-warnings-issued
WorldJun 08, 2026

Magnitude 7.8 earthquake strikes near Mindanao, at least 32 dead as tsunami warnings issued

A powerful magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck near the southern Philippine island of Mindanao on Monday morning, leaving at least 32 people dead, according to preliminary reports from authorities. More than 100 people were injured, about two dozen remain missing, and roughly 10,000 residents have been evacuated from affected areas. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake occurred at approximately 7:40 a.m. local time and had a depth of about 33 kilometres. Tsunami warnings were issued for several countries following the quake as authorities assessed potential coast
louise-arbour-to-be-installed-as-canadas-31st-governor-general
CanadaJun 08, 2026

Former Supreme Court Justice Louise Arbour sworn in as Canada's 31st Governor General

Former Supreme Court justice Louise Arbour was sworn in Monday as Canada's 31st Governor General during a ceremony at the Senate of Canada Building in Ottawa. Arbour succeeds Mary Simon, who became Canada's first Indigenous Governor General in 2021. The appointment is reported to be the first approved by King Charles III. The swearing-in ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Mark Carney, Chief Justice Richard Wagner, House of Commons Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia and Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak, among other dignitaries. Arbour, 79, is a Montreal-based juri

Related News