Laurentian president says school was 'transparent' about economic challenges they faced
Laurentian University President Robert Haché found himself on the hot-seat once again Thursday afternoon as he testified virtually in front of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Official Languages.
While the focus was on the cutting of French-language programs at the university, many questions centred on who knew what and when before LU declared insolvency Feb. 1.
Sudbury MP Paul Lefebvre said Haché called him and Nickel Belt MP Marc Serré to talk about what was happening in December.
"That was the first you told us about the financial difficulties, we said, I said, the federal government could provide support for the official languages program, is that not true?" Lefebvre asked.
"Did I also not say that I communicated with Minister (Melanie) Joly's office to see what we could do because, as you know, and as we said last Tuesday, the official languages program works through a transfer, a federal transfer payment but it does get delivered by the province so we can work together to move this forward, did I not say that?"
"Yes, that's what I recollect," said Haché.
"I also told you about the Aboriginal languages program that the federal government had put forward and Laurentian University had not applied, at least not the first component and you were to follow up with Canadian Heritage, is that not true?" asked Lefebvre.
"Yes, it is," said Haché.
Lefebvre also pressed Haché about which level of government is responsible for funding matters and jurisdiction. Haché replied that it was the province.
But it was the questions from Timmins-James Bay NDP Charlie Angus that seemed to focus around funding for the institution that raised more questions than answers
"You said there were a number of meetings between the provincial and federal government in the lead up to that (the CCAA creditor protection process), so in your meetings with the federal government did you ask for financial help or support in order to avoid having to go into bankruptcy?" asked Angus.
"We did have a number of meetings in the last year leading up in both the federal and provincial side," Haché replied.
"In all cases, we were quite transparent in the magnitude of our difficulties and the origin of our difficulties and we did make requests and ask if there was any way, in response to your specific question, ask if there were any possibilities that we could receive assistance from the federal government."
Angus pressed him further on the meetings he had with the local MPs, saying he was surprised that Lefebvre wasn't told about the extent of the financial difficulties until the end of December.
He asked Haché if Laurentian had made a specific request for funding.
"What surprised me was Madame Joly, the Minister of FedNor who represents economic development as well as official languages and the Franco-Ontarian community, saying if she had been told, she would have intervened and worked with the province. Do you think it might have been better to work with Madame Joly than the two local MPs because she said she would have acted?" asked Angus.
"Hindsight can be 20/20 and had we been more aggressive, more successful perhaps there might have been a change, but perhaps not," said Haché.
Serré continued the line of questioning where his colleague Lefebvre had left off.
"Laurentian University is such an important part of the community, all requests for funding have to go through the province," Serré asked.
"Yes, that's correct," said Haché.
Testimony at the Official Languages Committee continued for the next hour as parliamentarians heard from the francophone alliance in Sudbury calling for a French-language university, as well as the University of Sudbury's Pierre Riopel from the board of regents.
Joly said Tuesday her office learned of the troubles facing Laurentian University in January, after the meeting with Serré and Lefebvre.
Hache also testified there were a number of factors that contributed to the university's fiscal problems, including funding cuts from the province.
He couldn't quantify how much of the $150-million budget were federal contributions, but added a $10-million loan from the province would not have made a difference.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
AstraZeneca says it will withdraw COVID-19 vaccine globally as demand dips
AstraZeneca said on Tuesday it had initiated the worldwide withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine due to a 'surplus of available updated vaccines' since the pandemic.
World's record-breaking hot temperature streak stretches through April
The world just experienced its hottest April on record, extending an 11-month streak in which every month set a temperature record, the European Union's climate change monitoring service said on Wednesday.
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Seafood, eat food: Calgary Stampede releases Midway menu
The Calgary Stampede has released its menu of sweet, salty and spicy treats available on the Midway for the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they've changed their name
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
Ontario man devastated to learn $150,000 line of credit isn't insured after wife dies
An Ontario man found out that a line of credit he thought was insured actually isn't after his wife of 50 years died.
Trial begins for Winnipeg serial killer who claims he was mentally ill
The trial of a man who admits he killed four women in Winnipeg is set to begin Wednesday, and a law professor says lawyers for Jeremy Skibicki have multiple hurdles to clear for a defence of mental illness.