Government Operations committee  Again, at no point did I say that Treasury Board asked for a copy of the contract. I was made aware by the president that he had a copy of the contract.

Government Operations committee  I didn't say whether the Treasury Board did or did not, because I cannot comment here on any deliberations of the Treasury Board.

Government Operations committee  I did not have a copy of the contract. I've never seen the contract.

Government Operations committee  The minister received a copy of the contract. Our legal advisers reviewed the contract. On that basis we made a determination vis-à-vis particular penalties that are in the contract, and I made the city aware of that as well in my letter of October 10.

Government Operations committee  I'm not going to comment on actions taken or positions taken by another government.

Government Operations committee  For further clarification, I can comment that in reviewing the contract, the Treasury Board Secretariat came to the view that there were no penalties, no additional costs would be incurred if there was delay up to December 15 in signing, and that there were no additional penaltie

Government Operations committee  I can't comment on the specifics of this, Madam Chair. I know that the $200 million is still available for projects for the City of Ottawa, but how that relates back to the MOU, I really can't comment. That would be something that the Minister of Transport or the Department of Tr

Government Operations committee  Again, I'm not aware of that project, Madam Chair. I can't comment on whether that project would qualify for funding under the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund or not.

Government Operations committee  No.

Government Operations committee  Again, I can't comment on any discussion or deliberations of the cabinet committee of the Treasury Board. The only....

Government Operations committee  Can I just make a point again, Madam Chair, for clarification? As I indicated, the Treasury Board decision authorized the Minister of Transport to enter into a contribution agreement, so it was up to the Minister of Transport to make that determination as to the scope of the pro

Government Operations committee  Sorry...?

Government Operations committee  I can't speak for that letter. All I can say is that government often decides which minister should communicate on behalf of the government, and often it is the regional minister that does so.

Government Operations committee  Mr. Kirkpatrick just spoke for me, I think. I just wanted to clarify for the record, Madam Chair, that the Treasury Board did authorize the Minister of Transport to enter into this contribution agreement to provide up to the $200 million. Again, just to reiterate, this was subje

Government Operations committee  I'll respond in English, Madam Chair. I was not interviewed by the Ethics Commissioner. I'm not aware that any officials within the Treasury Board Secretariat had any discussions with the Ethics Commissioner on this matter.