Public Accounts committee  My answer to that would be somewhat similar to what you've heard already. Where sensitive documents are identified, we apply--

Public Accounts committee  I would not make any slur whatsoever against the engineers and contractors involved in this job, in that they did follow the rules that were established.

Public Accounts committee  However, it is standard practice in the architectural, engineering, and construction industry that when unclassified documents are to be disposed of, frankly they're put in the garbage. In this particular case they were put in a garbage receptacle. Somehow they appeared in the mi

Public Accounts committee  No, we're--

Public Accounts committee  --relying on the review that's being carried out by the department to identify--

Public Accounts committee  They were under the control of the contractors we engaged.

Public Accounts committee  We have a role. I don't think it makes a lot of sense to launch an independent investigation at the same time that the department is reviewing the situation.

Public Accounts committee  Obviously I would have preferred not to have found out about it in the same way that others did, by reading the newspaper. However, immediately upon finding out that they weren't classified documents, we go back to the question of what the proper practice is, what the appropriate

Public Accounts committee  Mr. Chairman, honourable members, I am pleased to appear before you again. At the last Public Accounts Committee meeting I explained DCC's role as contracting authority for DND infrastructure projects and how DCC is accountable for taking the measures necessary to protect the sen

Public Accounts committee  No. We have now signed an agreement with—

Public Accounts committee  Since 1986, when the policy was around. However—

Public Accounts committee  Yes, we do.

Public Accounts committee  To clarify, we've entered into the formal agreement with Treasury Board since the audit. Prior to that time, we always implemented the measures required by the government security—

Public Accounts committee  Sir, I suggest that you look back, and you will not find a situation where we have not complied.

Public Accounts committee  Right.