As a federal conflict of interest investigation is underway after the Trudeau Liberals gave a $900 million contract to the WE Charity after his family members were paid for speaking engagements, the provincial NDP says a similar situation could be happening here in Saskatchewan.
Education critic Carla Beck says the charity was awarded a $260,000 contract from the Sask. party government after Premier Scott Moe and his wife took a WE Charity organized trip to Kenya back in December. The contract is to “promote student well-being.”
Shortly after Christmas, Krista & I had the honour of taking a personal trip to Kenya with @WeMovement & @craigkielburger.
It was incredible to experience the rich culture & kindness of Kenya & to see the positive impact WE is having in the lives of students & families globally pic.twitter.com/WAjk9FEASu
— Scott Moe (@PremierScottMoe) January 9, 2020
Education critic Carla Beck said on Tuesday during a web conference that she wants to know what went into the decision to grant the organization a non-competitive contract in Saskatchewan.
“I’d like to know who was consulted on this; why this model, why this charity, why now in Saskatchewan?” Beck said. “I don’t know if perhaps the ministry (of education) is going to answer those questions.
“I certainly hope we get the opportunity to hear from them exactly why this charity (was chosen, and) why now.”
Beck said she’s questioning what’s in the contract and how the charity was chosen for it.
“The fact that this contract was awarded outside of the usual process, the indication that this is the only entity that’s able to deliver this content really I think deserves some additional scrutiny.”
Premier Moe gave an explanation to his connection with the WE Charity on Tuesday afternoon. He said he is in a much different position than the Trudeau family.
“One, I didn’t receive any money. Two, I approached our Conflict of Interest Commissioner immediately before doing anything on the personal side with anyone that’s associated with this foundation. And three, there are a number of provinces that have already moved on this pilot project; Saskatchewan is not among them at this point in time,” stated the premier.
In May, the province’s Ministry of Health announced its intentions to offer the contract to the charity for their “well-being” classroom program.
Premier Moe added that it was a personal trip.
“My family has been involved in supporting the We Foundation for a number of years through my daughter originally and then my wife and daughter,” he shared.
“We paid for that trip personally and we did not get paid in any way for our participation in that trip.”
He mentioned there were no other charities that were interested in the opportunity except for WE and that a cabinet presentation has yet to be made on this contract.
