Thank you, Madam Chair.
Thank you, Minister, for being here today.
I wanted to share something, Minister, to follow up on what you were saying to Mr. Garrison. I have spent some time studying your career. I know you have spent your career protecting people as a Vancouver detective and a leader in the Canadian Armed Forces. I also know from the actions you have taken—you have spoken to some of them here today—how committed you are to ensuring that all equity-seeking groups, including women, feel safe and protected. I wanted to thank you for that service, and I wanted to voice my confidence in your work in that regard.
I also wanted to correct the record. I think Mr. Garrison indicated that the Prime Minister knew of allegations. There has been no evidence presented to this committee of that at all, and I think it's highly inappropriate for Mr. Garrison to suggest something of the sort.
I also want to ask you a question, Minister. A tweet from Mercedes Stephenson on March 3, 2021, describes:
...the evidence that the former military Ombudsman is referring to. It is not an allegation of sexual assault. It is the email chain between the then CDS and a then Cpl where he allegedly proposed going to a clothing optional vacation destination.
Can you confirm, Minister, that what the ombudsman tried to show you was not what Kellie Brennan came forward with?