Government Operations committee  With reference to the economic action plan, you're absolutely right. There was a very deliberate decision and strong desire, when that budget came down and there was this global recession going on, to make sure Canadians had very swift access to the information about programs and services that could benefit them.

Government Operations committee  No. Not to my knowledge, no. It would go through cabinet. No.

Government Operations committee  Yes. The management of advertising has a lot checks and balances built into it. Between Public Works, the Privy Council Office, Treasury Board, departments, and ministers' offices, any advertising initiative goes through a number of stages, phases, checks and balances, to ensure that we're getting the best value for money.

Government Operations committee  That I know? No.

Government Operations committee  I have....

Government Operations committee  It's budget secrecy.

Government Operations committee  It's a general statement, but I assume yes.

Government Operations committee  I'd have to check.

Government Operations committee  I can get back to you. I just don't remember.

Government Operations committee  Normally the departments and the ministers' offices would be informed of the pre-test, especially if you have to make changes to it as a result of the pre-testing.

Government Operations committee  I was saying it's budget secrecy. I wouldn't know. I'm in the Privy Council Office.

Government Operations committee  It's a cabinet decision. As I mentioned, there's an annual advertising plan. Normally the theme, as you can see on the handout, is set through the Speech from the Throne or the budget, and it's a cabinet decision.

Government Operations committee  There are two different things here. The website for the economic action plan is not advertising. Advertising for the Government of Canada is all done through Cossette. The website is not advertising. It's not considered advertising.

Government Operations committee  Just to answer you, the economic action plan website is indeed coordinated by the Privy Council Office. It is because there were so many government departments that were part of the economic action plan. So you're right: Transport, Infrastructure, Human Resources and Social Development—a number of them....

Government Operations committee  Ministers' offices, departments, the PMO, and everybody looks and approves the buy. So yes, they would in the mix.