I think that both the contracts in question, with Sara Mintz and with Hugh MacPhie, are for their work within the minister's office, so they would see it and be ready to account for that work that was done. They're the ones who issued the contract. Now, did I see them? Yes. They were part of the interface with the minister's office--not the department, but the minister's office. He managed that well, as he did earlier in the work we engaged him on, Advantage Canada.
On May 13th, 2008. See this statement in context.