Thank you.
I appreciate that, because it clarifies things. Again, this risk and the risks mentioned by Ms. Yip relate to the relationship with the suppliers that would only arise as a result of the divulgation of confidential information to the public domain by somebody who sees that information. That's not because of the contract, and it's not what's in the contract that's embarrassing.
What she's saying is these suppliers rely on the Government of Canada to follow the procedures set out in agreements with them, and if they don't, that's both a breach of contract and a potential business relationship risk for future deliveries and future contracts with a supplier. In this case, there are provisions in those agreements that require the Government of Canada, before furnishing the information, to have people sign NDAs. This is what I understand from the department. Everybody had to sign an NDA when they saw this contract.
In order to do that and avoid the government being told by the suppliers that it didn't follow the modalities of the contract, the amendment asks people to sign NDAs. We follow the modalities of the contract in the event that there is such a breach of confidentiality in the future. The Government of Canada at least followed what was required under the contract and didn't breach the contract to give the information to somebody who didn't sign the NDA. That, I think, is a relatively straightforward proposition.
It has nothing to do with what's in the contract as it relates to the risk she's talking about. It's the result of a potential breach, and what happens if you didn't follow the procedure of the contract that led to the breach arising. I think the main risk is related to the supplier who is upset, potentially sues us and potentially doesn't want to do business with us in the future. It's not to protect the supplier in any way. It's only to follow the procedures that were set out in the contract.
That's the best way I can answer that question. That's why the NDA is being proposed. That's what the contract says is supposed to happen.