Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Mr. Ouimet, the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner did indeed conduct an investigation. However, I would like to highlight an important point, namely that the four witnesses interviewed as part of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner's investigation are subject to our study on conflict of interest and have been declared at fault by the Auditor General regarding conflicts of interest. As parliamentarians, we take the liberty of conducting our own study and asking our own questions. So please respect our function if you want us to respect yours.
On that note, I'll ask my first question. The Auditor General determined that $10,372,330 was awarded in connection with not one, not two, not three, but eight cases where you did not recuse yourself to avoid a conflict of interest. Again, I'm quoting from the Auditor General's report. So, if you have an issue with the Auditor General's report, we have other problems.
Also, in an email dated April 2, 2021, sent to Ms. Lawrence and Ms. Verschuren, you informed them that you had accepted an offer to become a member of the board of directors of Recyclage Lithion, which offer was ratified on April 30, 2021. In your email, you stated that in accordance with the code of conduct, you would exclude yourself from any discussion at SDTC regarding Recyclage Lithion. However, Mr. Ouimet, the financing had been approved on March 9, 2021, three weeks before you sent your email.
Are you telling this committee that you had no connection with Recyclage Lithion prior to March 9, 2021, and therefore could not be in a conflict of interest?