The procurement process is such that the decision was made by the technical and contract teams, under the authority delegated to them, and for which it was not necessary to get the minister's approval. The level of authority is determined by the amount of the contracts. In the case we are dealing with, because the amount permitted, the contract was approved by the assistant deputy minister at the time, Mr. Ring's predecessor.
On October 26th, 2010. See this statement in context.