First of all, let me thank you for the question, and let me also apologize if members of this committee did not receive a copy of my opening presentation, because in that presentation I clearly indicated that it was a request from CIDA officials to the minister's office and myself to return the document and to indicate clearly in writing the decision I would have made.
In the case where I may have disagreed with the recommendations made by the CIDA officials, this was common practice. It was the way we indicated and relayed the minister's decision. The format at that time, as was explained earlier, did not allow for any other way to indicate in writing, following the request for decisions to be relayed to them in writing. Consequently, this was the practice undertaken at that time, and I'm here to explain that.
I explained it in my opening presentation and I clearly have indicated this was the way that was undertaken. As was indicated, it was normal. As indicated, the CIDA officials clearly understood that this was a way of reflecting my decision back to them. They expressed no concerns. There was no confusion on their part.