Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Colleagues, we heard testimony about the issue of the contract for $122,000 to Mr. MacPhie, a gentleman with deep Conservative connections and ties. We heard from departmental officials and we saw communications that red flags were being raised through the process. We heard admissions from Mr. Flaherty that rules were not followed, that Treasury Board rules were broken.
When we tried to find out who was at fault in this particular situation, one person kept being mentioned. Unfortunately, the person did not have an opportunity to appear as a witness before this committee to give insight. But more importantly, when blame is being laid at one person's feet, it's incumbent upon the committee to provide that person with the opportunity either to say “Yes, it was me; I am the one at fault, as the minister said. I'm the one who made these decisions” or to provide added insight. But it's clearly not fair to the individual to be blamed for something as serious as this situation.
The other person who was mentioned a number of times was Mr. Bill Horrigan, the budget director in the minister's office. His name was mentioned a number of times as the coordinator, the one who set up not only Mr. MacPhie's contract but other contracts with individuals with Conservative ties. I think this gentleman could also provide additional insight into what transpired.