Retraction and Apology to Theresa Kielburger (June 11, 2026):
On August 20, 2021, Canadaland published The Children’s Crusade, the first episode of a podcast series entitled The White Saviors. In that episode we stated that Theresa Kielburger had placed hundreds of thousands of dollars of donations to a children’s charity in a family bank account. This was unfounded. We were wrong to have published it.
Canadaland wholly retracts its statement about Ms. Kielburger. We apologize unreservedly to her for the harm caused by our publication of it. Canadaland has agreed to pay substantial damages to Ms. Kielburger.
Official responses from WE:
According to the WE Organization: neither the WE Organization nor Marc or Craig Kielburger have ever been investigated by a law enforcement agency, currently or in the past.
The WE Organization maintains that all financial transactions between its various entities, both charitable and for-profit, have followed all applicable laws.
In his libel claim against Saturday Night Magazine: Craig Kielburger said that the article was false and led people to wrongly believe he was keeping the money for himself. According to a reported statement by a Free the Children accountant, donations made prior to the organization becoming a registered charity were deposited in a separate bank account, and the group was being run as a charity pending Revenue Canada’s approval of its application.
2018 investigation:
https://www.canadaland.com/
2019 investigation:
Further reading:
Canadaland’s reporting on WE Charity: https://www.canadaland.com/?s=
The WE Charity story, according to WE:
https://www.we.org/en-CA/
WE.org Transparency page:
https://www.we.org/en-CA/
WE.org Financials page:
https://www.we.org/en-CA/
ME to WE Transparency page:
https://www.we.org/en-CA/
Music by Audio Network
This episode contains source materials used under the Fair Dealing provisions of the Copyright Act.
Sources:
It Takes a Child
Craig Kielburger’s Story – A Journey into Child Labour
Directed by Judy Jackson
Produced by Judy Films
Youtube
The Story of Craig Kielburger
produced, and narrated by Sherine Mansour
CPAC
Youtube
In Search Of Character
LiveWire Media
Elkind+Sweet Communications, Inc
https://www.livewiremedia.com/
The Price WE Paid
The Fifth Estate/CBC
Interview with Craig Kielburger
CSPAN
Craig Kielburger NSB Speakers promotional video
Youtube
Marc Kielburger NSB Speakers promotional video
Youtube
WE Movement Youtube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/
MeToWe Youtube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/
CTV News – Kielburger brothers interview with Lisa Laflamme
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
MTV Cribs: Craig Kielburger Episode
Haddon Strategy
Editor’s Note (Aug 20, 2021): WE Charity, its founders and related entities have notified Canadaland that they intend to sue Canadaland because they contend that the trailer and press release for The White Saviors contain “baseless allegations”.
