It was the NSA who was asked to lead the investigation. The minister's office was absolutely aware of it. The officials that the NSA was interacting with certainly would have been available to the minister. If there were conversations there, I'm unaware. It was the NSA—one of the most senior officials in the Government of Canada—who led the investigation into the rumour that was relayed to us.
On March 22nd, 2021. See this statement in context.