Monday, January 19, 2026
ADVT 
National

Minister replaces staffer again at WE hearing

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 31 Mar, 2021 06:58 PM
  • Minister replaces staffer again at WE hearing

Opposition members shut down a parliamentary committee hearing this afternoon after the Liberal government once again refused to let a political aide appear to answer questions about the now-dead deal with WE Charity.

Members of the House of Commons' ethics committee had asked a senior adviser to Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland to testify following an order to that effect from Parliament last week.

But the Liberal government, which has said it will order political staff not to appear before committees, instead deployed Associate Finance Minister Mona Fortier to appear on Amitpal Singh's behalf.

It was the second time a minister appeared instead of a ministerial aide after government House leader Pablo Rodriguez took the place of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's policy director earlier this week.

While the committee ultimately decided to hear what Rodriguez had to say on Monday, opposition members refused to do the same with Fortier today and instead used their majority to adjourn the meeting after only 20 minutes.

The government has said ministers are ultimately responsible for their staff, but committee members expressed anger and frustration over what they described as the Liberals' defiance of Parliament.

MORE National ARTICLES

Richmond RCMP say escapee poses potential risk

Richmond RCMP say escapee poses potential risk
A statement from Richmond RCMP says the monitoring bracelet worn by 57-year-old Woon Chan went off-line Thursday.

Richmond RCMP say escapee poses potential risk

The latest numbers on COVID-19 in BC

The latest numbers on COVID-19 in BC
There were 564 new cases Thursday from 4,334 completed tests, for a positivity rate of 13 per cent. The rate of active cases is 115.3 per 100,000 people.

The latest numbers on COVID-19 in BC

Delays in doses of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine worsen

Delays in doses of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine worsen
But on Thursday Fortin had to deliver bad news on vaccine deliveries to Canada for the third time in less than a week.

Delays in doses of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine worsen

Gov. Gen. Julie Payette resigns

Gov. Gen. Julie Payette resigns
The news comes as the results of an investigation into allegations of a toxic workplace environment at Rideau Hall are expected to be released.

Gov. Gen. Julie Payette resigns

B.C. Liberals announce leadership election team

B.C. Liberals announce leadership election team
Wilkinson resigned after the Liberals not only lost the election last fall, but seats that were once considered safe for the party.

B.C. Liberals announce leadership election team

Biden begins: Trudeau, POTUS to talk Friday

Biden begins: Trudeau, POTUS to talk Friday
The 46th president's first phone call with a foreign leader comes Friday and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will be on the other end of the line.

Biden begins: Trudeau, POTUS to talk Friday