Officials from the Department of Finance declined to answer questions from MPs this week during their appearance before a House of Commons committee. The committee was studying the federal government’s recent suspension of activity with the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). James Wu and Kathleen Wrye, representatives from the finance department, stated that the government’s decision regarding the AIIB was not within their jurisdiction. This announcement comes after Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland announced on June 14 that Ottawa would halt all activities with the AIIB while investigating allegations made by the bank’s Canadian global communications director, Bob Pickard. Pickard claimed that the AIIB is “dominated” by the Chinese Communist Party. Freeland also stated that Canada would discuss the issue with its allies and partners who are members of the bank. The government’s actions on this matter come six years after Parliament passed the “Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank Agreement Act” in 2017, which allowed the Finance Department to purchase up to US$375 million worth of AIIB shares. Conservative MP Garnett Genuis questioned Wu and Wrye about the government’s stance on the AIIB and whether there would be a serious review. However, both officials were unable to provide further information. Former deputy finance minister Michael Sabia had previously stated that the AIIB is not a Chinese-controlled investment bank. Pickard resigned from his position on June 14, claiming that the CCP “runs” the AIIB and that it has a toxic culture.