Information & Ethics committee  Yes, except in the Conflict of Interest Act.

Information & Ethics committee  I believe that is determined by the observer, but I will refrain from commenting on the decision of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner.

Information & Ethics committee  Okay.

Information & Ethics committee  As a general matter, it is not.

Information & Ethics committee  That's what the commissioner found, but let me clarify one point, if I may. While there are departmental officials involved in the execution of these contracts, the material decisions to pick the supplier in a sole-source contract, to determine the contract price and value, and to tell the department to write up the contract and at the end to approve payment all rest with, in this case, the minister's office.

Information & Ethics committee  No.

Information & Ethics committee  If that's okay with you, I will let my colleague answer the question.

Information & Ethics committee  Pardon?

Information & Ethics committee  Did you say “an interest”?

Information & Ethics committee  I believe the term is well defined in the Conflict of Interest Act. It is a situation where the receipt of an advantage is in the personal interest of a public office holder or a person with whom they are associated.

Information & Ethics committee  I would say that as a general matter—again, from the point of view of a public servant—it was very important that Canadians understand what supports and services were available to them.

Information & Ethics committee  Mr. Pilon?

Information & Ethics committee  Generally, again, it would take quite a long time to bring staff up to speed as fully functioning members of the team. I would hazard a guess that it's in the order of months.

Information & Ethics committee  Those who face the media do receive media training as a mandatory thing.

Information & Ethics committee  There was a very high volume of media inquiries about a whole range of things that were happening at the time.