Madam Chair, members of the committee, unaccustomed as I am to be present in front of a parliamentary committee, forgive me for taking a few moments to make a statement, and perhaps, through you, I may be offered a bit of latitude.
I've worked in the private security investigation industry for 20 years. I've worked with clients in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Central America. I've held investigative licences across Canada, with the exception of British Columbia and Saskatchewan.
I believe the reason I've been summoned here today before this committee is to offer insight into the media frenzy surrounding a former cabinet minister and current member of Parliament.
My role to many of you in this room may be confusing and misunderstood because of what I do. I believe I speak for all of my clients in the insurance industry, the banking sector, and government who choose to remain anonymous because they, like me, believe that neglect is the ally of many. It is because of neglect that investigators are retained. The job of investigators, if you will, is to dig into people's activities and statements. Your role too is to examine the issue before you.
The notion that neglect is an ally is a strong statement. It presupposes that, as normal everyday respectful citizens, we take what people say as the truth. In fact, one can make the absolute leap that what generally happens in this place is built upon that premise.
Most importantly, Madam Chair, neglect is not the purview of this place. It is all around us and in our everyday lives, and neglect as an ally is the reason clients seek my counsel and professional skills as an investigator in the first place.
When the facts I uncovered as an investigator regarding the proponents of this committee's mandate came to light, I sought the advice of friends who understood far better than I how things here in Ottawa work. I agreed to meet the client's wishes and contact individuals in public office, be they functionaries to politicians or politicians themselves. When I brought to light the issues that appeared to affect the government, I advised the government.
The reaction of the government, albeit a part of the mandate of this committee, has nothing to do with me. It appears, however, I am an unwilling participant in this little drama.
I'm here, Madam Chair, because your committee believes I can shed some light on this matter. I hope that my presence here can help clear up some of the misconceptions about this matter, and that I can move on as an investigator in my professional life.
Madam Chair, through you to the committee members, I humbly submit that this matter has been, and is, a tough issue to manage through for the individuals who are at the centre of it. Many people have made assumptions about the evidence and information I collected during the case, and many people have made assumptions about the investigation as a result of media spin. I appear before you today to speak to the facts and connect the dots, as I did with the clients and victims during the investigative process.
Many friends with whom I have spoken have felt there is far too much being made of this issue in the first place, when it appears to have effectively been dealt with by the Prime Minister.
I hope and trust my presence here today will serve to offer a perspective and close this chapter, and that we don't neglect those other important matters that we look to you to manage.