WE scandal: Probe continues as WE Charity founders, former board chair testify | HIGHLIGHTS

WE Charity's former board chair Michelle Douglas and co-founders Craig and Marc Kielburger testified on Tuesday as part of Canadian House of Commons finance committee hearings into the WE Charity scandal, which is working to determine how an organization with close financial ties to prominent members of the government received a sole-sourced contract to run the Canada Student Service Grant.

Finance Minister Bill Morneau, as well as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, are also being investigated by the federal ethics watchdog for possible violations of conflict of interest rules.

In her opening statement, Douglas said it was understood by board members that “speakers were not paid by the charity or related organizations to speak at WE Days,” which appears to stand in contrast to the reports in recent weeks that the WE Charity paid speaking fees to members of the Trudeau family.

Regarding the student grant program, Craig and Marc said that money would be to cover expenses incurred in setting up the program and not as a benefit to themselves and their organization. They added that by returning the money they have received so far, the group will be out roughly $5 million.

The brothers also defended their decisions not to register as lobbyists and insisted their organization has not met the legal definition of lobbying even though it has paid hundreds of thousands of dollars in speaking fees to Trudeau’s family members and hired Morneau’s daughter.

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[rodbuck]

Why aren’t these two Kielburgers brothers being questioned separately?A first year law student knows better than to question two witnesses or people being accused of crimes together!This is really Mickey Mouse .

[AaronBrmfied]

Pro Tip: You don't need a multi-million dollar charity in order to volunteer your time.

[wli]

i remember many yrs ago Poilievre was being laughed at for being young and inexperienced MP - although he was recognized for being very passionate. years later.... damn... this guy is made of serious stuff. special thanks to his constituents for putting up this kind of good stuff into Parliament.

[HuiWang-js]

Every time they get a tough question that old man blocks it for them. He is so eager to protect them, give them time to think, distract the viewers from the tough questions asked. Ugh.

[rboisvert]

I watched those 2 smug young millionaires and I don’t think they knew what they were in for.

[larryc]

These 2 brothers should have been questioned separately!!!

[joeegg]

Creepy guys. Stay the hell away from my kids!

[sleepinggiantssister]

If the charity never benefits from contracts or the work that they do then how did they have money to pay for speakers fees? This is a scam from scammers who prey on child like minds

[ewal]

The two brothers talked a lot, but didn't answered the questions. Do they just think all Canadians are stupid? Maybe they are right as Mr. Trudea was elected by all Canadians.

[smc]

They appear to be following Trudeau’s playbook.... talk on and on and not answer. Is the Chair of this inquiry a Trudeau appointee?

[jgambler]

The chair for this needs to be replaced, he's brutal.

[olee_]

the witness @4:00 speaks in the same cadence as Justin Trudeau its so weird and eerie

[trail]

These guys sound like Trudope.Double talk.

[beaelectric]

Hard to understand why taxpayer money is not returned to Canadians through economic development instead of seeing our money donated to corrupt charities or religious groups. Accused should step down until Ethics Commission report complete. They should all be denied federal lawyer funding and treated the way they treated Admiral Mark Norman

[elizabethmaric]

These two WE GUYS talk in circles just like their BFF want the money I donated back!

[Standyourground]

Has anyone Requested an audit of WE Charity and frozen their bank accounts yet?

[mdgrqford]

We tax payers are the losers, being laughed at by these slick clown.

[janetk]

WE Charity not registering to lobby the government, yet clearly lobbying the government, should be a crime. Thinking they are above the rules just as Trudeau, is not acceptable. We Charity has been around for years and know the rules. No excuses.

[ARand]

Thanks for the softball question Elizabeth May - makes it abundantly clear who's side you're on.

[sleepinggiantssister]

I’m also loving how the testimony is cut mid answer when one of the brothers are talking.