Mr. Chair, I was the subject of an unprecedented investigation that lasted more than two years. Every aspect of the organization that I led came under scrutiny and we answered every question asked. My email was reviewed, documents were delivered to my residence. I received documentation on December 22 and on December 29, and I was only given a few weeks to respond. I received seven boxes of documents in June. I had to hire a lawyer in April in order to get the details of the allegations made against me. I was exhausted. It looked as though the process that had been started would never end.
In the interest of everyone, over the summer I consulted the chair of the Commission's Audit Committee. I wanted to obtain another position within the public sector. I had accumulated 28 years of service, I had only seven years of work remaining before taking my retirement. I tried to contact the Privy Council Office, which had absolutely no interest in wanting to meet with me. I continued doing my work, because I was determined to table my annual report and submit my initial cases of wrongdoing.
In August, I had to take medical leave. My family was not well and I was receiving threats, repeated threats that may have been linked to my position. Then I received, through my lawyer, a non-negotiable offer. I hesitated for some time, however, for reasons of health and because I had accomplished my mandate, namely to establish a professional institution, I decided to accept the government's offer to take an early retirement.