11.96°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

carney-vows-to-work-with-quebecs-separatist-pq-government
CanadaOct 06, 2026

Carney Vows to Work with Quebec’s Separatist PQ Government

Prime Minister Mark Carney has emphasized the need to work with Quebec’s incoming separatist Parti Québécois government. Speaking to reporters Tuesday morning, Carney said he had spoken by phone with incoming Quebec Premier Paul St-Pierre Plamondon and congratulated him on his election victory. Carney described the current period as a critical time for the country, saying it is important to focus on the challenges facing Canada today rather than issues that may be years away. The Prime Minister said Ottawa is already working closely with Quebec on issues including affordable housing and ad
fatal-shooting-outside-langley-restaurant-ihit-takes-over-investigation
BCOct 06, 2026

Fatal Shooting Outside Langley Restaurant, IHIT Takes Over Investigation

Langley RCMP have confirmed a fatal shooting outside a restaurant last night. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) has taken over the investigation. Police said officers were called to the 6000-block of 200 Street at around 9:45 p.m. after reports of gunshots. Upon arrival, officers found a man suffering from serious injuries. According to Sgt. Zainel Sharoum, despite efforts to save his life, the victim died at the scene. Just minutes later, at around 10:03 p.m., police received a report of a vehicle fire near 232 Street and 75 Avenue in Langley. Investigators are now working to
BCOct 06, 2026

Conservatives Push for Higher Diesel Production, Federal Tax Cuts Amid Rising Prices

The Conservative Party has introduced a motion in the House of Commons calling on the Liberal government to increase diesel production as fuel prices continue to rise across Canada. The party says higher diesel prices are creating financial pressures for truck drivers and farmers and is calling for domestic diesel production to be increased to 1 million barrels per day. According to Statistics Canada reports, diesel prices in August were, on average, 60 to 90 cents per litre higher than a year earlier. Federal Conservative energy critic Carol Anstey said Canadians are paying 31 cents more per
bhagwant-manns-brother-in-law-summoned-by-ed-cbi-raids-osd-rajbir-ghumans-locations
IndiaOct 06, 2026

Bhagwant Mann’s Brother-in-Law Summoned by ED, CBI Raids OSD Rajbir Ghuman’s Locations

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s brother-in-law, Amardeep Singh Grewal, has been summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an alleged ₹5-crore bribery case. Meanwhile, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has started raids at locations linked to the Chief Minister’s OSD, Rajbir Singh Ghuman. According to information, Grewal has been summoned to Delhi for questioning on October 9. The ED had earlier asked him to appear on October 7, but he sought additional time from the agency. The case is linked to allegations made by former Punjab and Haryana High Court
major-incident-on-highway-1-in-burnaby-eastbound-traffic-shut-down
BCOct 06, 2026

Major Incident on Highway 1 in Burnaby, Eastbound Traffic Shut Down

A major vehicle-related incident occurred on Highway 1 in Burnaby Tuesday morning, prompting RCMP to completely shut down eastbound traffic near Kensington Avenue. Emergency vehicles were at the scene, while traffic on Kensington Avenue was being diverted toward Canada Way. Burnaby RCMP have not yet released the exact time of the incident or other details. Corporal Mike Klanj said further information will be released as it becomes available.

Related News