PMO Didn’t Direct Me to Choose WE for Volunteer Program: Chagger

Finance committee testimonial reveals WE Charity could have received up to $43.53 million to administer student grant

Craig Kielburger (L) and his brother Marc introduce Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau at WE Day celebrations in Ottawa on Nov. 10, 2015. The Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld

OTTAWA—The federal youth minister says she was not directed by the Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office to make an agreement with WE Charity to run a federal volunteering program, a deal that has since been aborted and mired in ethical questions.

Bardish Chagger tells the House of Commons finance committee that she didn’t personally have conversations with Trudeau’s office, or that of Finance Minister Bill Morneau, prior to cabinet approval of the deal.