Mr. Speaker, the following reflects a consolidated response approved on behalf of Global Affairs Canada’s ministers.
With regard to parts (a) and (b), in processing parliamentary returns, the government applies the principles set out in the Access to Information Act. Information has been withheld on the grounds that the disclosure of certain information is subject to solicitor-client privilege.
With regard to part (c), all efforts were made to recover the lost funds. In December 2021, Global Affairs Canada’s legal team came to the conclusion that the department had pursued all necessary options and that the funds would not be returned.
With regard to part (d), this incident did not lead to a policy change.