LILLEY: Questions that must be asked of the Kielburgers at committee

On Tuesday at noon, WE Charity co-founders Craig and Marc Kielburger are set to testify about the story that has rocked the Trudeau government and one of Canada’s biggest charities.

MPs from all parties will get a chance to ask questions, but time will be tight.

I decided to write up some of the questions that I would ask if I were able to be part of the discussions:

1. Who contacted whom about WE Charity running a government program for youth during the pandemic and when? At first, the government claimed that it was the civil service that picked WE. Marc Kielburger claimed the Trudeau’s office contacted him and then quickly changed his tune when that got Trudeau in hot water. WE submitted proposals to the government as early as April 9. Let’s get to the bottom of this.

2. Which cabinet ministers did WE meet before getting this contract, and when did those meetings happen? Minister Bardish Chagger has insisted it was the civil service who dreamt up this $912 million program but failed to tell the committee last week that she met with Craig Kielburger on April 17, five days before the program was announced. Bill Morneau had a phone call. Who else did they talk to?

3. Was there ever a quid pro quo with the PM on hiring his family? WE’s funding shot up dramatically after Justin Trudeau became prime minister, from $500,000 over 3 years to $5 million over four. At the same time, WE began hiring the PM’s mother to speak at WE Day events to the tune of $312,000 over 4 years or on average $78,000 per year. Did WE do this to keep grants and contracts flowing? Was there ever any discussion of this with Trudeau?

4. Since WE withdrew from the contract on July 3, have either Craig or Marc Kielburger, staff from WE, ME to WE, or any of your representatives spoken to or been in contact with the prime minister’s office?

5. Why did WE, a charity most people associate with helping people in the poorest parts of the world go from $10.8 million in real estate in 2013 to $43.7 million in 2018? Does the charity really need a whole block in Toronto? Is there a condo redevelopment plan going on here?

6. How many other MPs and cabinet ministers have taken free trips from WE/ME to WE and will you name them?

7. How much revenue did ME to WE generate last year? This is a business that makes a ton of money because it is associated with a charity. It sells the products and trips based on the premise that it is helping charity – they even use similar branding. Reports claim ME to WE earned $47 million last year, is that accurate?

8. Was the board fired or did they resign and why? This is an important question for both the Kielburgers and Michelle Douglas to answer. Douglas, the former board chair told the Globe she did not leave under normal circumstances and that there were concerning developments at the charity. What were the concerning developments?

9. There is a recording of a phone call where Marc Kielburger listens as a now former employee describes bribing Kenyan officials and having difficulty getting them to take the money. Has WE or ME to WE or their employees or representatives ever bribed officials in another country?

10. Nine different properties in Kenya were transferred from WE’s charitable operations in that country to a private company called WE Education for Children Limited. Can you tell us why you did that? Will WE provide the names of the people who control the private company now holding land purchased with charitable contributions? And finally, how much real estate does WE or ME to WE own outside of Canada?

If we can get clear answers to these questions the country will have a clearer understanding of what has been going on with this contract the past few months and this charity for the past several years.