Respect the chair, Madam Minister.
Have you called upon exempt staff —that is the term used for political staff here in Ottawa—before nominating the proposed candidate, Mr. Théberge? As an opposition party, we were never consulted about that.
Has political staff in your office, specifically Ms. Caroline Séguin, participated directly or indirectly in the nomination of Mr. Théberge? Has she or other exempt staff in your office contacted candidates or validated information?