Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Good morning, Mr. Minister. I am pleased to see you here this morning. I would also like to welcome the people accompanying you.
Two and a half years ago, Minister, the Auditor General of Canada said that there had been many irregularities in the awarding of a contract to Royal LePage. However, last April, you announced that you would not be renewing the contract with Royal LePage. Then, on April 29, your department solicited bids. The closing date for this request to tender was June 19, an extremely short timeline.
Why did you wait so long to announce that the contract awarded to Royal LePage would not be renewed?
Do you not think that allowing only a scant six weeks to award what was the Royal LePage contract—which pertained to building leases—is a bit short?