The funding for Recyclage Lithion was approved by Sustainable Development Technology Canada in the summer of 2018, prior to my appointment. As for the payments granted in the context of COVID‑19, a conflict of interest was identified for all the directors who had taken part in the decision. Looking at the detailed information in all the reports, we can see that it was a difference of legal opinion between the commissioner and lawyers from outside firms. It was felt that the commissioner's position was the preponderant one.
However, the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner reviewed all the documents and minutes, and dismissed the allegations against me. He did detailed work and didn't stop at certain points—