Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
Minister Boissonnault, when you last appeared before this committee, the committee had text messages referencing a “Randy” from September 8. You said the Randy referenced in those text messages was not you. Your office even put out a statement saying you were in Vancouver and had no access to electronic devices, and you made no phone calls during the time frame in question on September 8.
Since you appeared before committee, we have a new tranche of text messages from September 6 that reference Randy in Vancouver. You, Randy—through you, Mr. Chair—were in Vancouver, and now you tell the committee that you did talk to Anderson. You did text Anderson. You didn't say that before. You left this committee with the impression that you had no communications with Anderson, and now you say that you did.
I would submit, Mr. Boissonnault—through you, Mr. Chair—that it is a material omission. It is a material misrepresentation.
Why didn't you tell the full truth the last time you appeared before the committee? Why are we only finding out about this now? Is it because you need a new cover story?