The federal Conservatives are calling for an investigation into the Liberal government’s decision to have an international charity administer a $900-million program designed to help students during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The request is contained in a letter sent to Auditor General Karen Hogan on Sunday in which the Tories argue that “outsourcing” the Canada Student Service Grant to WE Charity undermines Parliament’s ability to monitor the aid program.
The Conservatives also noted the “well documented” connections between WE and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as they underscored the importance of transparency, accountability and value for money in Ottawa’s COVID-19 spending.
“By outsourcing this program to a third party, the proper channels for Opposition scrutiny, the very bedrock of our parliamentary democracy, have been circumvented,” reads the letter signed by Conservative MPs Pierre Poilievre, Dan Albas and Raquel Dancho.
“Indeed, it is your office that will provide the most legitimate and transparent examination of this program.”
The auditor general’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Sunday.
[Interesting Read]
See Also:
(1) More than ever, Canada needs a national infrastructure corridor
(2) Canada commits $300M to global COVID-19 fight but PM urged to spend $1.5 billion
