As has already been mentioned, the first version of the application cost $80,000. Personally, I don't think I should be consulted on something that cost $80,000 and was developed in four weeks.
As was mentioned at this committee on November 7, I was informed that this was the way to go, and that's the way I went. I trusted Mr. MacDonald, since he had been given certain powers in order to speed things up.
I would like to remind the committee that, at the time, the ArriveCAN app was not my sole responsibility. It's a fairly simple application, which replaces paper-based processing. At the time, between 1,200 and 1,400 employees reported to me. Many had contracted COVID‑19 and had to go to the hospital. Because of that, there were backlogs. That's what happened. Certain powers needed to be delegated.