Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Good morning, Mr. Souccar and Mr. McDonell. I very much appreciate your being here. I also appreciate your honesty. I want to make that clear.
I would like to begin with a point of clarification. As soon as news of all this broke, I made a number of requests to bring both of you before the committee, and I can tell you it took a long time.
According to the information I received, Mr. McDonell, you did not want to appear. In your case, Mr. Souccar, it was not very clear where things stood. I had to issue a summons in order for you to appear. And here you are today, being very open and honest with us. I am trying to understand what happened. Were you threatened? Did Commissioner Elliot threaten you or ask you not to appear before the committee?