Mr. Speaker, one needs only to read the exchange of correspondence between Groupaction and the department to see that it admits that the qualitative aspect was not met but that nevertheless $575,000 had been paid out.
On May 8, 2001, a senior department official wrote about a “request for upward amendment” in connection with the qualitative component. In other words, he is saying that there may be a request for more. They admit that they did not, but the payment was made regardless. There is no need to seek proof, it is already there.
Was there a third contract, as requested by Groupaction, for the qualitative component. In addition to the two contracts, was there a third, by any chance?