Mr. Chair, as I've indicated very clearly, speculations on the part of members are unfounded. I've come here today willingly, looking for an open and balanced hearing, willing to respond with the truth and with the facts. Speculations are truly unfounded, and as I've clearly, clearly stated, there was no direction, advice, or conversation with the Prime Minister or any of his staff regarding the Kairos application.
It would be unreasonable to expect that the Prime Minister or other ministers, who are very busy on their own part, would have discussion on every specific application. As I've indicated, I dealt with more than 750 proposals and recommendations coming to me last year, and I have also indicated that there was no advice or direction from any other office. I asked for advice from my own staff, my own political staff, I asked for information from CIDA staff, and I concluded that this was not in the best interest of Canadians because I believed that our Canadian aid dollars should be used to reduce poverty and to improve the lives of those living in poverty in developing countries.
Mr. Chair, let me say that I am here with the truth and the facts, and I cannot address false speculations in any other way.