I want to make a statement, if the committee will allow me.
When I left office I appeared before this committee, but before that I appeared before the Senate committee. I explained why I was not able to tell them where I was going. Essentially, before Christmas the chairman of the board made me an offer that I accepted, so I resigned. But the meeting could only take place on January 5, when the whole board of the organization could make a decision. This led to some speculation by one or two journalists that I was leaving because Prime Minister Harper had done something or had not done something.
I just want to put it on the record that my decision to leave Elections Canada had absolutely nothing to do with what Prime Minister Harper did or did not do. There was no such consideration at all. After 17 years, enough time had been spent, I had made my contribution, and I had a fantastic offer in my hands. That's all I did: I took advantage of an outstanding offer. It had nothing to do with the Prime Minister, or any other minister, for that matter.