FALSE STATEMENTS by Charlie Angus Regarding WE Charity

101 FALSE STATEMENTS by Charlie Angus regarding WE Charity

Over the past nine months, Mr. Charlie Angus, MP for Timmins – James Bay, has repeatedly made false statements on Twitter, in the media and in Parliamentary committees all for his own political gain.

Mr. Angus often hides behind “Parliamentary Privilege”, which means that he can make serious, unfounded allegations, without any legal recourse for those who are defamed. Due to the inflammatory nature of his statements, Mr. Angus’ allegations are regularly recycled by the media and amplified via social media with no regard for the truth.

This has caused tremendous harm to WE Charity, its staff, and most importantly, the children who benefit from the charity’s programs.

To correct the record, we have documented 101 false statements by Mr. Angus and provided the facts correcting each statement. It is our hope that Mr. Angus will consider these facts and choose his words more carefully moving forward. ISSUE: Falsely stating the value of the CSSG Program

NUMBER OF FALSE STATEMENTS ON THIS TOPIC 27

FALSE/MISLEADING STATEMENT(S) FACTS

“This happened on your watch, Minister, because you • The total value of the contribution agreement was brought this $900-million program to cabinet.” $543.5M, (see a copy of the agreement here) not (July 16, 2020, FINA) $900 million as Mr. Angus well knows, yet he has falsely stated this number dozens of times. “When we end up in a situation in the middle of a pandemic, in which $900 million is awarded to a group that has deep • The correct value of the contribution agreement has ties to the Trudeau family, the obvious question is why that been in the public domain since July 25, 2020, but did not raise flags in the Prime Minister’s Office.” Mr. Angus continues to misstate the value in a bid to (July 17, 2020, ETHI) sensationalize the matter.

“The question of why we are here is really about the decision • In official communications, Mr. Angus reverts to to take $900 million and transfer it to a third-party organi- the correct number. For example, in his August 10, zation that has very close connections to the Trudeau family 2020, letter to the Commissioner of Lobbying, he and Mr. Morneau.” (July 22, 2020, FINA) twice states the accurate value: “If you look at the contracts leading up to the $543 million CSSG grant “How in God’s name is it a credible decision by the Govern- it would appear…” and “…to secure the $543 million ment of Canada to funnel nearly a billion dollars to a group contribution agreement to administer the Canada that’s very close to you and your family, and that’s very close Student Service Grant (CSSG).” to the Prime Minister and his family?” (July 22, 2020, FINA) • So, it is clear this is an intentional tactic by Mr. Angus “We’re talking about $900 million.” (July 22, 2020, FINA) to mislead Canadians.

“...yet this is where the Kielburger brothers decide to funnel • WE’s role in the CSSG did not allow for any “profit” $900 million.” (July 28, FINA) (by definition, a charity cannot generate or earn profits) or financial gain for the organization whatsoever. “I am just someone concerned that nearly a billion dollars of emergency funding was privatized to the Kielburger group in • The theoretical maximum expense reimbursement to the middle of a pandemic. (July 30, 2020, Twitter) WE was $34.78M only if all 100,000 students engaged in the program. These costs were for all aspects of “Having run out of means to distract attention from @Justin- the program including its design, delivery, disburse- Trudeau’s billion-dollar Kielburger meltdown…” ment of grants, third-party costs, etc. This was not a (August 3, 2020, Twitter) set payment and only a maximum amount to reim- burse expenses. “This was the pivotal moment where the WE brothers become embedded with with (sic) liberal government in writing the $900mil deal.” (August 19, 2020, Twitter)

“…a deal that was worth between 500 million and 900 million dollars…”(September 1, 2020, Charlie Angus Press Conference)

“When we are investigation how a 900 million-dollar deal went off the rails…” (September 1, 2020, Charlie Angus Press Conference)

“When that public office holder is the Prime Minister of the nation, and when we’re talking about a decision by key Lib- eral ministers to support what would have ended up being a $900-million plan to transfer money to this organization that has close financial ties...” (October 15, 2020 ETHI)

FALSE/MISLEADING STATEMENT(S) FACTS (REPEATED FROM PAGE 1)

“They were using the Prime Minister’s family to get this • The total value of the contribution agreement was $900-million contract…” (October 20, 2020, HOC) $543.5M, (see a copy of the agreement here) not $900 million as Mr. Angus well knows, yet he has “So that was our focus: How did this group, that is a sup- falsely stated this number dozens of times. posed charity for children, get such an inside track on a deal that was between $500 million and $912 million?” • The correct value of the contribution agreement has (November 9, 2020, ETHI) been in the public domain since July 25, 2020, but Mr. Angus continues to misstate the value in a bid to “This counts because, again, when we’re talking about gov- sensationalize the matter. ernment programs—especially in the nature of something close to a billion dollars that’s going to be handed out—we • In official communications, Mr. Angus reverts to need to know that the governance structure is sound and the correct number. For example, in his August 10, that this is an organization that can actually deliver. 2020, letter to the Commissioner of Lobbying, he (November 13, 2020, ETHI) twice states the accurate value: “If you look at the contracts leading up to the $543 million CSSG grant “from the full $912 million program that we are focused on.” it would appear…” and “…to secure the $543 million (November 13, 2020, ETHI) contribution agreement to administer the Canada Student Service Grant (CSSG).” “When our parliamentary committees, the finance and ethics committees, began looking at the questions around the • So, it is clear this is an intentional tactic by Mr. Angus WE and the granting of the $912 million...” to mislead Canadians. (November 27, 2020, ETHI) • WE’s role in the CSSG did not allow for any “profit” “One was the entrepreneurship program with Minister Bill (by definition, a charity cannot generate or earn prof- Morneau, which was $12 million, and the Canada student its) or financial gain for the organization whatsoever. service grant, eventually for $900 million.” (November 27, 2020, ETHI) • The theoretical maximum expense reimbursement to WE was $34.78M only if all 100,000 students engaged “…Minister Morneau had to resign his position because of in the program. These costs were for all aspects of his involvement in the $900 million WE scandal.” the program including its design, delivery, disburse- (December 16, 2020, Charlie Angus Press Conference) ment of grants, third-party costs, etc. This was not a set payment and only a maximum amount to reim- “…Bill Morneau responding to his friends at the Kielburger burse expenses. organization with a $12 million contract plus the $900 million dollars.” (December 16, 2020, Charlie Angus Press Conference)

“This was a group (WE) that came to the Canadian government and were going to receive between $500 and $900 million dollars based on their ability to deliver the programs in a fast and efficient manner.” (February 19, 2020, ETHI)

“… the issue here is 912 million dollars and whether or not that was obtained through illegal lobbying…” (February 26, 2021, ETHI)

“that was going to award them a (sic) 912 million dollars…” (March 1, 2021, Evan Solomon Radio Show)

“they were making pretty big claims for that 912 million” (March 1, 2021, Evan Solomon Radio Show)

“Today should have been the last day of witness testimony of our study into the $912 million in taxpayers’ money that would have been gone to the given to the Kielburger group.” (March 8, 2021, ETHI)

“Minister Chagger gave them a heads up on this sepa- rate service stream proposal that became the $900 million grant.” (March 8, 2021, ETHI)

“And any group, any organization that’s looking to receive $912 million in taxpayer’s money, they must be willing to show up and answer the hard questions.” (March 8, 2021, ETHI) ISSUE: Falsely claiming WE Charity created the CSSG and pitched it to government

NUMBER OF FALSE STATEMENTS ON THIS TOPIC 2

FALSE/MISLEADING STATEMENT(S) FACTS

“…if you look at the documents that identify how this deal • The government’s own publicly-released chronology came about, we see that the Kielburgers were reaching out corroborates that WE had discussions with govern- for an initial program. We’re going to talk about that later, ment officials prior to April 20 about a small-in-scope because that is a very interesting one that has been very youth entrepreneurship program “unrelated to the overlooked.” (November 9, 2020, ETHI) service grant” (CSSG).

“The Kielburgers continue to push the false line they gave to - The call from Rachel Wernick about the program our committee that they became embroiled in this controver- that what would become the CSSG did not happen sy because they naively answered the government’s call for until Sunday April 20, as has been widely corrobo- help. Not true.” (September 10, 2020, Twitter) rated in the public domain, and the government’s documents:

- “On April 16, 2020, ESDC chronology indicates that an email from Rachel Wernick to Michelle Kovacevic noted ‘Volunteer Canada low capacity, I have asked Job Bank to come back to me with a proposal.’”

- “April 19, 2020, Final memo to the Finance Minister on options for entire student package. First note of the Canada Student Service Grant with third party delivery suggested (includes WE, Shopify as examples).” ISSUE: Falsely stating WE Charity’s Board of Directors and “all their staff” were fired

NUMBER OF FALSE STATEMENTS ON THIS TOPIC 5

FALSE/MISLEADING STATEMENT(S) FACTS

“For example, our committee found out that the board of • The WE Charity Board was not fired. directors was fired in the middle of the pandemic for asking for financial statements… (November 30, 2020, ETHI) • Of the seven current Directors on the WE Charity North American Board, four have each served for “The other board was removed.” (November 30, 2020, ETHI) three or more years.

“Personally, I think it was questionable that one charity could • The Board is composed of skilled individuals who take 10,000 students when they had fired all their staff.” have expertise in law, finance and education. They (November 30, 2020, ETHI) provide strong overall governance (full lists HERE).

• WE Charity is grateful to Michelle Douglas, the “…according to reports we had, how they had gotten very Chair of the Board of Directors of WE Charity. She angry at the board and had hung up on them and had then resigned in March 2020, during the onset of the phoned and said they wanted their resignations.” COVID-19 pandemic. (November 9, 2020, ETHI) • Other Board Members transitioned as part of “That’s before we learned that they’d fired their board.” renewal processes tied to the organization’s 25th (August 11, 2020, ETHI) anniversary. Please see HERE for an on the record statement from Board members, and HERE for a WE Charity statement on the matter.

• In terms of layoffs, due to the impact of COVID-19, like thousands of other organizations around the world, WE Charity did have to lay off employees, especially from its global service travel and live events division. As a result of the difficult and painful decision to lay off staff – who were given generous severance packages – the organization was right- sized and in sound financial position going into the summer of 2020. ISSUE: Defamatory claim that of WE is “adept” at “media manipulation”

NUMBER OF FALSE STATEMENTS ON THIS TOPIC 1

FALSE/MISLEADING STATEMENT(S) FACTS

“My colleagues, I feel that our committee is now catching • Since June 2020 (when the CSSG was announced) The spears from the Kielburger group, who are very adept, as we Toronto Star has published exactly one Op-Ed by a know, in media and media manipulation. As our committee WE Charity employee – it was by WE Charity’s Execu- is unable to finish our report, they have launched a major tive Director Dalal Al Waheidi who wrote the charity’s publicity campaign. Firehouse Strategies talks about getting impact around the world over the last 25 years. 18 articles in. Well, they’ve certainly gotten op-eds into the Toronto Star, and they’ve gotten other elements out there.” • WE Charity employees have not had op-eds appear in (November 13, 2020, ETHI) any other newspapers since the start of the CSSG issue

ISSUE: False claim that ME to WE sold water in Kenya and was banned in that country

NUMBER OF FALSE STATEMENTS ON THIS TOPIC 1 FALSE/MISLEADING STATEMENT(S) FACTS

“They sold water in Kenya under the ME to WE label. We later • ME to WE has never sold water in Kenya nor has it been found out that they were banned in Kenya. My daughter, who banned in that country. worked in Africa, said, ‘You have to really do something, Dad, to get banned in Kenya.’ The Kielburger group was running this water company, yet still being a charity.” (December 16, 2020, ETHI) ISSUE: Repeated false claim that WE Charity Foundation is a “shell company” or “real estate holding company”

NUMBER OF FALSE STATEMENTS ON THIS TOPIC 21

FALSE/MISLEADING STATEMENT(S) FACTS

“...the WE Charity is not overseeing this program, but a shell • WE Charity Foundation is a registered charity. It is company, the WE Charity Foundation. When I look into the not a company. WE foundation, I don’t see a governance structure in place, other than it looks as though it’s people who work for the • WE Charity Foundation has never held real estate Kielburgers, and its stated aim is holding real estate. It has no assets. Prior to the CSSG, it never operated nor held assets.” (July 28, 2020, FINA) any funds for any purpose. Its mandate was adjust- ed with the CRA for the purpose of the CSSG. “I’ve never heard of a real estate holding company getting upwards of $500 million of taxpayers’ money to deliver a • WE Charity is the sole or founding member of WE program.” (July 28, 2020, FINA) Charity Foundation, and as such the WE Charity Board of Directors holds significant governance “The Kielburgers had many of these numbered shell compa- rights. nies.” (November 30, 2020, ETHI) • The WE Charity Foundation was created to manage “we find multiple shell companies, real estate holdings, pri- legal liability. The use of multiple corporate entities vate companies…” to isolate liabilities for particular projects is not (December 16, 2020, Charlie Angus Press Conference) uncommon.

“...that it was the federal government’s idea to push this • This structure was selected to manage the CCSG through a real estate holding company? Is that what you’re with full awareness of the Government of Canada. saying?” (July 28, 2020, FINA) It was to assist the Government of Canada, as the Government of Canada required that WE indem- “...signed off on giving the money, upwards of $500 million, nify the government from all losses related to the to a company, a holding company that you have... whose participation of the first 40,000 students as well original purpose of was to hold your real estate?” as the Non-Profit Partners who were engaging (July 28, 2020, FINA) those students. WE Charity was therefore assuming significant possible legal liability for the program, “The federal government was going to deliver over $500 especially considering the service work would be million to a shell company, and the board of directors of that done during a global health pandemic. Such liability shell company were employees of WE.” could overwhelm WE Charity, and counsel advised (November 30, 2020, ETHI) that the contracting party would preferably be WE Charity Foundation. “I mean, I don’t hold a bunch of numbered companies. I would have thought you were just a charity, but no, it’s set up to limit your liability. It was originally set up for real estate, and then you changed it.” (July 28, 2020, FINA)

“Then there is the fact that the government agreed to funnel the money through the real estate holding company.” (July 22, 2020, FINA)

“We learned today that the Government of Canada signed a $900-million deal with a real estate holding company with no track record—just established—no history and no involvement in the charitable sector.” (July 22, 2020, FINA)

“When the agreement was signed, we were all surprised to find that the agreement was actually set up with a shell company, the WE Charity Foundation, which the documents said was set up to handle real estate” (November 30, 2020, ETHI) FALSE/MISLEADING STATEMENT(S) FACTS (REPEATED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE)

“Wow. It’s a real estate holding company and you didn’t • WE Charity Foundation is a registered charity. It is double-check that. Where is the due diligence, Minister?” not a company. (July 22, 2020, FINA) • WE Charity Foundation has never held real estate ”Why was the $900 million government emergency funding assets. Prior to the CSSG, it never operated nor held funnelled through a real estate holding company?” any funds for any purpose. Its mandate was adjust- (July 22, 2020, Twitter) ed with the CRA for the purpose of the CSSG.

“Trying to get as (sic) sense of WE’s complex financial struc- • WE Charity is the sole or founding member of WE ture with journalist @JesseBrown Multiple holding compa- Charity Foundation, and as such the WE Charity nies, real estate holdings.” (July 22, 2020, Twitter) Board of Directors holds significant governance rights. “I would ask you if you’ve looked at the contracts that were signed between the Government of Canada and the holding • The WE Charity Foundation was created to manage company that was set up…” (November 27, 2020, ETHI) legal liability. The use of multiple corporate entities to isolate liabilities for particular projects is not “That’s before we learned that they were setting up a shell uncommon. company that had no assets.” (August 11, 2020, ETHI) • This structure was selected to manage the CCSG “That alone, without asking the questions about why they with full awareness of the Government of Canada. had to set up a shell company and the fact that they were It was to assist the Government of Canada, as the in financial free fall when they came to the government for Government of Canada required that WE indem- money.” (August 11, 2020, ETHI) nify the government from all losses related to the participation of the first 40,000 students as well “Charlie Angus said the closure of WE Charity’s Canadian op- as the Non-Profit Partners who were engaging erations shows that it was ‘in economic free fall’ and ‘desper- those students. WE Charity was therefore assuming ate’ when the Trudeau government gave it the now-cancelled significant possible legal liability for the program, contract earlier this year.” especially considering the service work would be (September 9, 2020, Cambridge Times) done during a global health pandemic. Such liability could overwhelm WE Charity, and counsel advised “…had raised questions about why you had a shell compa- that the contracting party would preferably be WE ny that was there to limit liability, and lo and behold, it just Charity Foundation. became the perfect avenue.” (July 28, 2020, FINA)

“We have a multiplicity of side companies, real estate holdings and shell companies, and bureaucrats took it for granted, as I think we all would have, that they were dealing with WE Charity.” (March 8, 2021, ETHI)

“But in the end, the Canadian people were asked to sign over $540 million in that initial funding agreement to a shell company that was set up to manage WE’s immense real estate holdings.” (March 8, 2021, ETHI) ISSUE: Falsely claiming WE Charity paid former Finance Minister Bill Morneau to travel

NUMBER OF FALSE STATEMENTS ON THIS TOPIC 5

FALSE/MISLEADING STATEMENT(S) FACTS

“They paid $41,000 to you and your family to travel and it was • WE Charity has never paid Mr. Morneau a single not reported.” (July 22, 2020, FINA) dollar.

“You just remembered that WE paid $41,000 for you to trav- • In 2017, WE Charity invited noted philanthropist el.” (July 22, 2020, FINA) Nancy McCain and her daughter, who were in Kenya visiting programs the family philanthropy support- “...Bill (Morneau) says he remembers some documents when ed, to see the WE Charity programs. This prompted he became minister. He forgets that WE paid $41,000 in inter- a second visit from the full McCain-Morneau family national travel.” (July 22, Twitter) in 2017 to WE Charity’s Ecuador projects. WE Charity hosted the family at the project sites in WE accom- “The situation we’re in is Mr. Bill Morneau was flown to some modation. At the end of that trip, the family donated very exotic places by WE, to the tune of at least $40,000; and $50,000, and later followed up with a second $50,000 I think he paid back more than $51,000, so maybe it’s close to donation. All international flights and related ex- $100,000, when the gift limit is $200.” (August 10, 2020, ETHI) penses to Kenya and Ecuador were paid directly by the families. “They paid $41,000 for him and his family to travel the world.” (March 8, 2021, ETHI) • In July 2020, Bill Morneau contacted WE Charity in order to pay the highest possible amount that could have been incurred for arranging similar visits. This was estimated at $41,000 for all family members to stay at the charity’s Kenya and Ecuador project sites. To be clear, these did not represent actual expenses incurred by WE Charity, but represented the absolute maximum costs that could be incurred for such trips by the same number of people. For more details, please see here. ISSUE: False claim that the CSSG website listed “bogus placements” when it launched, or didn’t have the capacity to take on students.

NUMBER OF FALSE STATEMENTS ON THIS TOPIC 3

FALSE/MISLEADING STATEMENT(S) FACTS

“You said you needed a website that had a lot of bang. • There were no “bogus” positions created, as falsely We found out that when it opened, there were 1,500 bogus stated by Mr. Angus. In order to meet ESDC’s re- placements on it.” (July 16, 2020, FINA) quirements of having thousands of service opportunities ready for the program launch, WE partnered “I was asking about the 1,500 bogus placements and due with not-for-profit organizations to assist them in diligence in that regard... (July 16, 2020, FINA) repositioning their needs into safe service opportunities. “Personally, I think it was questionable that one charity could take 10,000 students when they had fired all their staff.” • WE contracted staff to directly supervise up to (November 30, 2020, ETHI) 20,000 of the students in order to assist not-for- profit partners who may not have the immediate capacity during the disruption of COVID-19 to supervise students.

• When the CSSG program launched on June 25, 2020, the goal was to have 20,000 volunteer opportunities available with tens of thousands more to become available over the course of the summer. This goal was exceeded with over 20,000 volunteer opportunities available at launch in support of over 83 not- for-profit organizations.

ISSUE: False statement that WE Charity knew in advance that the Public Service would call and ask them to provide a proposal for a student service program

NUMBER OF FALSE STATEMENTS ON THIS TOPIC 1 FALSE/MISLEADING STATEMENT(S) FACTS

“We haven’t seen anything that tells us that between the first • Mr. Angus’s speculation is contradicted by the and the second proposals there were a bunch of other pro- Government of Canada’s submission to the FINA posals on the table. What we’ve seen between the first and Committee, which includes a chronology that fully second proposals is that WE was certainly able to really refine explains the sequence of events. Among them is their position, so that when Rachel Wernick called them, they the fact that Ms. Wernick called Craig Kielburger to had all the right answers. (July 22, 2020, FINA) pitch the CSSG proposal and WE subsequently put forward a proposal. The only proposal put forward by WE before the Wernick call was a Youth Entrepre- neurship program for $12M, which was not approved or funded. This is also detailed in the government documents. ISSUE: False claim that WE Charity forced employees to attend an event hosted by Finance Minister Bill Morneau

NUMBER OF FALSE STATEMENTS ON THIS TOPIC 1

FALSE/MISLEADING STATEMENT(S) FACTS

“Forcing WE employees to attend @Bill_Morneau parties is • On December 5, 2018, WE Charity’s head one step way over the line - for the charity and for the finance office received a mass email, sent from minister.” (July 30, 2020, Twitter) [email protected], extending an invitation to a holiday party, hosted by then Minister Bill Morneau. The invitation went to dozens of local businesses and non-profits in Mr. Morneau’s riding, including WE Charity as our headquarters located at 399 Queen Street falls within the riding’s boundaries.

• There is nothing uncommon about this. The charity receives invitations to various community gatherings, which we then circulate to staff who can decide if they want to attend or not.

• In keeping with the holiday spirit, the invitation was forwarded to many employees for their consideration, as is routinely done for local events in the community.

ISSUE: False claim that Spotify was somehow connected to the CSSG

NUMBER OF FALSE STATEMENTS ON THIS TOPIC 1

FALSE/MISLEADING STATEMENT(S) FACTS

“Min Chagger meets w/WE on Apr 17th. The next day a • To this day, we don’t know what this tweet was all Finance official tells her colleagues not to contact Spotify as about, but we do know that it’s unlikely Finance they might have something with EDSC (which is WE). From department officials had anything to do with the “FINA Motion 2020-07-07 FINANCE Final_E.pdf” p 46” American company “Spotify” unless they wanted to (September 1, 2020, Twitter) develop a playlist. ISSUE: Falsely representing and overstating benefits received by WE Charity from the Liberal government

NUMBER OF FALSE STATEMENTS ON THIS TOPIC 1

FALSE/MISLEADING STATEMENT(S) FACTS

“They led the Canada 150 celebrations.” (March 8, 2021, ETHI) • WE Day Canada and WE Day UN were not government-led initiatives. “They were chosen to represent Canada at the U.N. with a huge stadium type show that featured the prime minister • WE Day Canada was a celebration of youth, held the and his wife.” (March 8, 2021, ETHI) day after the Canada 150 celebrations. WE Charity worked with government agencies to allow for use of the Canada 150 stage and Parliament Hill and it received a grant from Heritage Canada.

• WE Day UN was 100% a WE Charity-led initiative, and WE was not selected by the government or the Prime Minister to lead this initiative. It was part of WE Chari- ty’s plans for expansion in the United States, and was funded by US sponsors and donors. ISSUE: False assertion that WE Charity was in financial difficulty

NUMBER OF FALSE STATEMENTS ON THIS TOPIC 7

FALSE/MISLEADING STATEMENT(S) FACTS

“Committee testimony revealed that WE was massively • WE Charity was in a strong financial position prior to overextended and in economic free fall. The volunteer pro- the onset of the pandemic in March. WE Charity had gram was a desperate pitch to call in their political favours.” multi-year partnerships locked in, revenues were (September 1, 2020, Twitter) steady or rising for 5 years straight, with a strong asset. “That’s when I knew the organization was in deep financial trouble.” (August 10, 2020, Twitter) • However, due to the impact of COVID-19, like most organizations, WE Charity had to make tough staffing “And for a group that was just in financial free fall in decisions, especially in departments where programs March…” (July 28, 2020, FINA) were no longer possible due to COVID-19, such as its live stadium WE Day events and ME to WE’s global “That alone, without asking the questions about why they service travel department. Following these staffing had to set up a shell company and the fact that they were transitions, WE Charity was in stable financial stand- in financial free fall when they came to the government for ing with multi-year sponsorship contracts and eight money.” (August 11, 2020, ETHI) months’ worth of operational assets.

“I really need to know how this happened, that the Kiel- • As such, it would be inaccurate to make any link be- burger brothers who are in financial free fall can call three tween the charity’s financial status and the awarding ministers’ offices, get a proposal in, and have that proposal of the CSSG contribution agreement to WE Charity. reflect almost what the Prime Minister’s saying, and then Further, as the CSSG contribution agreement clear- we’re moving forward with a $900-million deal.” ly states multiple times, WE Charity would only be (August 11, 2020, ETHI). reimbursed for expenses to deliver the CSSG, and the organization did not stand to make a profit from it in “When they were in financial free fall, they called her any way. (Minister Chagger) and had a special meeting on April 17.” (October 20, 2020, HOC) • Unfortunately, the fall-out of the CSSG has been severely financially difficult for WE Charity and its “So we know they were having to pull money out of the beneficiaries. charity into their private corporation, and we know there were defaults on the bank covenants. These red flags were • Dr. AL Rosen, a specialist in Investigative and Foren- being raised.” (July 22, 2020, FINA) sic Accounting (CA-IFA), Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) and a specialist in Investigative and Forensic Accounting (CA-IFA), with the support of analysis by Froese Forensic Partners, independently reviewed WE’s finances at the time of negotiating the contract. He concluded that, “WE was financially viable at the time of the signing of the CSSG Funding Agreement with the Federal Government and was not in any financial peril.” ISSUE: False statement that no organizations other than WE were considered by the government in developing the CSSG

NUMBER OF FALSE STATEMENTS ON THIS TOPIC 1

FALSE/MISLEADING STATEMENT(S) FACTS

“None of them were spoken to. Nobody was spoken to, only • According to documents released by the Government the Kielburgers.” (December 4, 2020, ETHI) of Canada, the public service consulted numerous other non-profit organizations in early April 2020:

- “Finance [Minister’s Office] (and PMO) hold consultations on students with a broad range of student/ youth organizations and stakeholders, including: Alex Usher, CASA, Palette, Actua, Universities Can- ada, YWCA / YMCA, Colleges & Institutes, Canadian Mental Health Assoc., National Assoc. Friendship Centres, ITK, WE, Canadian Community Education Network, Canadian Council for Rehabilitation and Work, Fédération des cegeps, PMYC, Conseil du Patronat du Québec, and Business/Higher Educa- tion Roundtable. The results of these consultations are rolled up into a What We Heard report (not shared with PCO).” ISSUE: False claim that WE was awarded a $12 million contract by the government of Canada

NUMBER OF FALSE STATEMENTS ON THIS TOPIC 11

FALSE/MISLEADING STATEMENT(S) FACTS

“It’s a project that has nothing to do with the response to the • The $12 million program Mr. Angus repeatedly refers pandemic” to was never approved by the Cabinet/the Govern- (December 16, 2020, Charlie Angus Press Conference) ment of Canada. There was no payment made to WE in relation to that proposal in any amount. “…Bill Morneau responding to his friends at the Kielburger organization with a $12 million contract plus the $900 million • As senior Department of Finance official Michelle dollars.” Kovacevic told Mr. Angus in committee testimony “In (December 16, 2020, Charlie Angus Press Conference) terms of when the proposal was approved, I would remind committee members that on the date of the “to get a $12 million contract because you wrote to Bill Mor- announcement of the student package [April 2] … neau and you knew him, that is not how government should there was no approval by the Prime Minister or the operate” Minister of Finance for anything related to WE.” (December 16, 2020, Charlie Angus Press Conference) • Not only was the program never approved, it was cer- “that Craig could write directly to Bill Morneau and say, “Hey, tainly not approved in “11 days” as Mr. Angus repeat- Bill, how’s your family?”, and ask for $12 million and get it 11 edly, and falsely, stated. days later, seems to me to be a pretty staggering inside track that I haven’t seen anywhere else.” (December 12, 2020, ETHI) • The proposal was for a youth social entrepreneurship program that would have served 8,000 youth in a “He (Craig Kielburger) pitches it directly to the minister, and 12-month span and was, contrary to Mr. Angus’s false then 11 days later it gets approved. Isn’t that an extraordinari- assertion, directedly related to the pandemic. ly short time to approve a project of this nature?” (December 4, 2020, ETHI) • Had Mr. Angus taken the time to look at the docu- ment he would see the title of it of the proposal was “They (WE Charity) sent him (Minister Morneau) a person- “Closing the COVID 19 Opportunity Gap for Young al email on April 10 and 11 days later got a $12-million deal” People through Social Entrepreneurship” with the (November 13, 2020, ETHI) program itself focused directly on creating opportunities for youth in response to the pandemic. “…a friend of the Morneau family contacts him directly and asks for 12 million dollars and 11 days later it’s granted.” (Dec 16, 2020, Charlie Angus Press Conference)

“…this time for the approval of a $12 million contribution for a Social Entrepreneurship initiative. What is also striking about this is that speed in which this occurred, only 11 days from the proposal arriving in his office to his decision.” (November 17, 2020, Letter from Charlie Angus to Ethics Commissioner)

“And that message Craig was asking for Bill Morneau to sign off on a $12 million grant. And within a mere 11 days, the finance minister gave a verbal sign off on this funding.” (March 8, 2021, ETHI)

“This was handled by Craig Kielburger, a $12 million side deal negotiated by two besties.” (March 8, 2021, ETHI)

“… said to our committee that she was not involved at all in the negotiations of this $12 million proposal.” (March 8, 2021, ETHI) ISSUE: False claim that the entirety of Sofia Marquez’s role at WE was solely to manage government partnerships

NUMBER OF FALSE STATEMENTS ON THIS TOPIC 4

FALSE/MISLEADING STATEMENT(S) FACTS

“You would have been director of government relations.” • Sofia Marquez testified before the Standing (February 26, 2021, ETHI) Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics (ETHI) on February 26, 2021 that in July 2018, “Would it have been common for Craig to have reached out she took on the newly created role of Director of himself when you were actually the director of government Government and Stakeholder Relations - working relations?” (February 26, 2021, ETHI) with all levels of government, foundations, corporate, and non-profit partners. “…not you as a director of government relations?” (February 26, 2021, ETHI) • Mr. Angus has consistently mispresented Ms. Marquez’s role by purposely misstating her title “You, as director of government relations, were not involved as Director of Government Relations. Even when at all.” (February 26, 2021, ETHI) corrected, seconds later Mr. Angus continues this falsehood during committee meetings ISSUE: False statements that Craig Kielburger a) hired Bill Morneau’s daughter and b) flew the Minister “around the world”

NUMBER OF FALSE STATEMENTS ON THIS TOPIC 4 FALSE/MISLEADING STATEMENT(S) FACTS

“He received it from Craig Kielburger, someone who hired • Mr. Morneau’s daughter, who came to Canada from his daughter, someone who had flown him around the world, Uganda in 2010 after being sponsored by the Mor- and it’s listed in there that he approved it.” neau family, became involved with WE Charity as a (December 4, 2020, ETHI) volunteer (i.e. unpaid) in 2019. She then became a facilitator in WE’s Ecuador operation before returning “Would you not agree that these kinds of relations, with peo- to Canada for a full time role as a WE Schools Coordi- ple are being flown around and feted and gifted....” nator. (November 27, 2020, ETHI) • In all instances, she was hired through WE’s standard “…the Kielburger group had flown Bill Morneau around the hiring process run by the Human Resources depart- world” (December 16, 2020, Charlie Angus Press Conference) ment (not by Craig Kielburger) and her salary was the same as other employees at her level. “Bill Morneau’s daughter was hired by WE, he was flown around the world by them…” • Regarding flights, all international flights and related (December 16, 2020, Charlie Angus Press Conference) expenses to Kenya and Ecuador were paid directly by the Morneau-McCain family.

• In July 2020, Bill Morneau contacted WE Charity in order to pay the highest possible amount that could have been incurred for arranging similar visits. This was estimated at $41,000 for all family members to stay at the charity’s Kenya and Ecuador project sites. To be clear, these did not represent actual expenses incurred by WE Charity, but represented the absolute maximum costs that could be incurred for such trips by the same number of people.

ISSUE: Falsely Stating Kielburgers “Insisted” on Testifying at FINA

NUMBER OF FALSE STATEMENTS ON THIS TOPIC 2 FALSE/MISLEADING STATEMENT(S) FACTS

“It was the Kielburger brothers who insisted on coming • The FINA Committee demanded that the founders of before committee.” (November 9, 2020, ETHI) the charity testify, and they complied with the Commit- tee’s request. The Kielburgers did not request, let alone “…it was the Kielburger brothers who insisted on coming “insist”, to testify. before the committee” (March 1, 2021, Evan Solomon Show) • On July 27, 2020, the FINA committee passed a motion giving Craig and Marc Kielburger less than one day’s notice that they were required to appear for at least four hours: “That Craig Kielberger and Marc Kielberger appear before the committee for no less than 4 hours on Tuesday, July 28 …” ISSUE: Falsely stating that the Kielburgers did not want to provide answers

NUMBER OF FALSE STATEMENTS ON THIS TOPIC 2

FALSE/MISLEADING STATEMENT(S) FACTS

• WE Charity co-founders Craig and Marc Kielburger “But having to put those explanations on the record in confirmed months ago their willingness to voluntarily televised hearings appears too much for them. So they have testify at the ETHI Committee, and their appearance gone to ground.” (March 8, 2021, ETHI) was scheduled for on March 8th. “We cannot be obstructed in this work just because the • The week prior to the Kielburgers’ scheduled central people in the drama do not want to be accountable.” appearance at the committee, Mr. Angus formally (March 8, 2021, ETHI) requested an investigation by the RCMP and CRA of WE Charity for political purposes, creating a significant barrier for their testimony.

• Despite the significant unfairness of Mr. Angus’ conduct, WE Charity co-founders are testifying on March 15th. This is in addition to a previous four- hour testimony in July 2019 (the longest in the 43rd Canadian parliament), additional testimony by WE Charity representatives, thousands of pages of documents released to government, and answering approximately 5000 media questions.

BONUS FALSE STATEMENT: Charlie Angus states he is leaving Twitter

FALSE/MISLEADING STATEMENT(S) FACTS

“Shoulda done this ages ago. Saying goodbye to the toxic • We could only wish that this one came true. bots and hate cesspool called twitter. Bye bye...” (October 20, 2020, Twitter) • Mr. Angus, who routinely attacks people, bemoaned that Twitter is a “hate cesspool” and quit the social media platform (for the second time).

• Apart from constantly attacking the credibility of the Kielburger family, Angus has used Twitter to refer to people he disagrees with as “fuckers”, “jackass”, “a smug mean aloof ass” “jack ass” (different spelling this time), “an irresponsible idiot” and “moron”.

• A hate cesspool indeed. Unfortunately, he sat out fewer than three days, returning on October 23, 2020.