Mr. Speaker, as I said, there is a new, transparent process overseen by the IRB for the preselection of candidates. The individual in question was not involved in the current Conservative Party. I personally did not know this man, and I was not aware of any partisan involvement here in Canada, or in Haiti. I accepted the IRB's recommendation, but I am concerned about his ties to certain political figures in Haiti, which is why I spoke with the chair of the IRB and my deputy minister to resolve this matter.
In the House of Commons on March 10th, 2009. See this statement in context.