I do acknowledge that Mr. Drouin sent me a letter on April 15 because I have a copy of it. However, I do not know with any certainty whether the memo dated April 2 reflected what the minister thought on April 2. How could I know that? This is pure speculation on my part. I do not know how many days previously the minister could have been informed of the matter. Was it on April 2? I don't know. It is not up to me to answer questions about what occurred between one minister and one of his officials and about an e-mail which allegedly followed such a conversation.
All I know is that I received a letter on April 15 and that, prior to this date, Minister Drouin and I had a conversation. I do not recall whether this conversation took place over the telephone or in person, at the House of Commons or in the cabinet room, because we spent many hours a day together. We therefore discussed the matter before April 15, the day on which I received a letter. The time period would be even shorter than the one indicated by the member.