I was simply going to start by saying that this is out of the regulations we have and the guidance we take from the Treasury Board. I don't want to start putting it on someone else, but those are essentially the parameters we're given to execute. This is not a policy set by the department. That's the point I want to make. I'll say that a priori.
I find that, frankly, sole source probably has its purpose. It's quite obvious from the guidance or parameters or regulations that have been set. You can see that this $25,000 threshold is pretty low, and it has been $25,000 for quite a few years. It goes back to 1982 or 1986; I forget. It has not been augmented. The point I'm making is that there is obviously a feeling that for anything above that, competition is important. People should have a fair shake to see and get the contract, yet you want to give some flexibility for smaller-value work so it can go more quickly.
It's the balance, Mr. Chair, between process and getting the outcome. That's the first point I would make.
The other parameters were probably simply set, again, to provide for some flexibility. If it is unique, if it's an emergency, you can sole-source. We have been given some flexibility--not only us, but the departments, because they have authorities as well--but the bar is high, because a priori, people want to be able to say that there has been a transparent, open, and fair process and that people had a chance to bid.