Minister, two and a half years after it was pointed out that there were some irregularities in the contracting process, you chose to go to tender. This was done two and a half years later, which does not give new bidders very much time to become acquainted with the file and deal with the paperwork. We have some serious questions about this.
What occurred in your department with respect to this file? Something happened. You could have made an announcement two and a half years ago that the Royal LePage contract was not going to be renewed, making it possible for other bidders to acquaint themselves with the file and present a proper bid. We have some serious questions about this.
Moreover, through your deputy minister, you gave some assurances to small- and medium-sized businesses that professional services would not be included in the Government Enterprise Network Services initiative with respect to this infamous IT file. Your deputy minister, whose word I am not questioning, told us that small- and medium-sized businesses would be able to submit a bid.
Can you assure us that this is the case today? I would like you to do this, in front of us.