I have the greatest respect for this committee and for the House of Commons. I am certainly here and, as I mentioned in my opening remarks, prepared.... I have outlined the legal framework, and I am fully prepared to answer questions with respect to the legal framework to assist this committee.
I am also a lawyer and a legal adviser. As I mentioned, the Supreme Court has ruled a number of times on the importance of solicitor-client protection, not only with respect to how absolute it is, but how essential it is to the proper running and the confidence that clients will have that they can have candid and frank discussions in order to get exactly candid and frank advice. Of course, the concern about the breach of that privilege is not only an ethical and legal one for a lawyer. It has broader public policy questions with respect to the provision of legal advice to government officials.
So I must respectfully again indicate that I am bound by privilege. I will certainly take away what Mr. Bachand has stated and discuss it with the appropriate officials, in particular with my client.