Thanks, Chair.
I have only one question, unless I don't like the answer.
The question is relating to page 13, paragraph 1.64, and it actually goes back to that previous discussion. There are still parts of that which I find troublesome. I'm going to read this and ask for your comments. I'll jump to the end. It takes us to that difference between an investment and a procurement. I got that message earlier, but it's in this context. I'm just going to read 1.64:
During the consultations prior to the establishment of the Action Plan, there were many calls for a formal request for proposals or a competitive process. Among the stakeholders referring to this need were representatives of one of Canada’s associations of venture capital firms. Initially, the Department of Finance Canada considered that the Action Plan would require a competitive process. In the end, the Department approached this as an investment, not a procurement process.
I understand that puts it in a different category and different rules apply, but still, I'm finding it hard to believe that you didn't take more seriously the request for proposals, a competitive process, particularly when one of the stakeholder groups.... It wasn't an individual firm—I could understand they might have a vested interest in seeing a certain outcome or nuance on a particular aspect—but here you had the umbrella group that represents them. I'm assuming they have tons of credibility and they're sort of the go-to umbrella group under venture capital firms.
Why did you so cavalierly set that aside and go off in your own direction?