Mr. Speaker, the issue here is who had the authority to take the decision. Under the processes existing at that time the decision was taken by the Department of Public Works, not by the Department of Canadian Heritage, not by the secretary of state, but by the Department of Public Works. The officials who had the responsibility at that time exercised their judgment and made a choice, but it was their decision, not one resting with some other minister.
In the House of Commons on November 1st, 2002. See this statement in context.