Yes, Mr. Chair. I have some brief opening remarks, if you will permit me.
First of all, I'd like to thank you for inviting me to appear before you in connection with this lease transaction for Place Victoria in Montreal, as reported by the Auditor General in her May 2006 report.
For the record, I was Deputy Minister of Public Works and Government Services from April 2001 until May 2003. I retired from the public service in February 2005, so I am appearing before you today as an individual, not as a public servant.
My recollection of this particular lease transaction is limited, given the passage of six to seven years since the beginning of the tender call. Until April 2002, it was indeed a routine tender call, one of more than 500 leases dealt with by the department on an annual basis.
I have, however, had the opportunity to review all relevant departmental records, and I have seen the transcripts of previous testimony by officials before this committee. I do not disagree with, nor do I dispute, any of the facts and information provided to date. I refer in particular to the summary of events described by David Marshall, former Deputy Minister of Public Works and Government Services, when he made his opening remarks to the committee during his appearance on January 31, 2007.
You have also had the benefit of testimony from former deputy ministers of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the region of Quebec.
I do not have any further comments at this point, but I will try to answer your questions to the best of my recollection.
Thank you. Merci.