First, I would like to thank the committee for giving me the opportunity to speak here today.
When I was recruited by the RCMP, I was given a mandate to implement a web-based, industry-outsourced pension administration for members and retirees of the force. The RCMP had been advised by Public Works that the current system was obsolete, increasingly difficult to maintain, and could no longer be supported. In accordance with the mandate, we delivered a state-of-the-art system and administration for the RCMP, which currently has a pensioner satisfaction rate of over 90%.
This was done transparently and under the guidance and direction of the Treasury Board Secretariat, the senior management of the RCMP, and advisory and operations committees. All briefings, presentations, status reports, and factual matters were delivered to the senior management of the RCMP, Treasury Board, division representatives, advisory committees, Solicitor General staff, and Department of Justice representatives on a regular basis.
Treasury Board submissions were extensively reviewed by RCMP and Treasury Board Secretariat experts on a line-by-line basis, whereby budgetary requirements were demonstrated as where spending was to, and did, take place. Modifications and additions were made at the direction of Treasury Board and senior management of the RCMP.
It must be noted that when I was appointed director, the responsibility for budgets, financial coding inputs, spending authorities, and administration for the group fell under the purview of Chief Superintendent Macaulay. I no longer had individuals under my control who could do that. During this time, we were not permitted direct access to financial records or reports. Not until a pension accounting unit was created and given full access to the financial system in 2003 did this change. At no time was I ever told or asked by Mr. Macaulay or any of his staff to explain an action or a process, nor was I ever advised that we were doing anything wrong. I was not provided with any information or training in any of these areas.
I cooperated fully with the police investigations, the investigation that the allegations evolved into. It is my intention today to try, to the best of my ability, to assist in yours. I welcome the opportunity to explain the role I played in delivering and implementing this system.
Thank you.