Information & Ethics committee  If a contract was awarded on an emergency basis, yes, it would be.

Information & Ethics committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair, for that question. In response to the question, I'll have to get back to you on which specific element would have been used. The only thing I would clarify is that we are talking about leases and contracts, and they are two separate things. The exception, in terms of emergency provisions, would apply under the contracting side.

Information & Ethics committee  Again, my colleagues from the procurement branch, because I'm not there anymore, would probably be able to provide you with more information, but for every file in which there is a national security exemption that is applied, the rationale is put on file.

Information & Ethics committee  They would be on file.

Information & Ethics committee  Yes. May I add just one more thing?

Information & Ethics committee  In terms of the national security exemption, I want to clarify that this is in terms of the application of the trade agreements and the obligations that are identified therein. What a national security exemption basically does is allow the government to be able to undertake procurements on, for example, an expedited basis.

Information & Ethics committee  Is that with regard to the contracts that were awarded in this specific case?

Information & Ethics committee  I'm sorry. Could I ask you to re-ask the question?

Information & Ethics committee  Thank you for clarifying. I apologize for not catching that the first time. The short answer is yes. I think there is information available to the staff, including from Treasury Board Secretariat, in terms of the distinctions between those two types of emergencies. We operate within those parameters.

Information & Ethics committee  I'm fairly well versed.

Information & Ethics committee  In the allocation of contracts with a public office holder...?

Information & Ethics committee  Within procurement it was about four years.

Information & Ethics committee  Yes.