Procedure and House Affairs committee  I'm sorry, I don't know the e-mail you're referring to. Is it in the package that was provided or...? I can say unequivocally that there was absolutely no intent to mislead the committee. If that is indeed in the e-mail, it was not premeditated for me to send it. When I did send it, it was a moment of absolute critical lapse of my judgment.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  I realize how it could be construed, and to the best of my recollection, as I still don't even have a copy of the e-mail to jog my memory, it was never my intent to (a) mislead the committee or (b) treat the document with the lack of respect that I did.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Yes.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Mr. Chair, as I've maintained, these individuals are my friends. I discuss many different issues with them. I see them at different social functions. I called four of the individuals in question after I was terminated and offered my apology for my actions and the problems that it would cause for them.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Do you mean one of the four that I offered my apology to?

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Yes.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Yes.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  I am a member of a social club here in Ottawa. Mr. Egan was looking to get involved, and I believe we had some communication back and forth as to how he could apply for a membership.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  I believe I asked Mr. Egan if he would have a suggested question for the pre-budget consultation so that I might be able to have Mrs. Block better informed.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  No. I'm sorry, Mr. Chair, as I mentioned before, I do not have any of my e-mails. I do not recall every specific case, but the question being posed to me in such a manner reminded me of what actually happened. As I mentioned, it's been a very stressful month, and I do not remember everything.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  As I indicated, these individuals are my friends. We talked about many different issues in relation to politics. I mean, politics is our lives. I do not recall any specific conversations about taxation. Typically, the most prolific topic has been when is the next election. But I do not recall any conversations about taxation or the next budget in particular.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  That's correct.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  It was just over two years.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Yes.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  I was looking for work both inside and outside of politics. It truly had nothing to do with Mrs. Block. It was about my own professional advancement.