National Defence committee  It is difficult to speculate on things that didn't happen. I will speak to generalities in terms of the process that we can undertake. When information is brought forward and we have facts and details to look at, we would take the appropriate action, as I have mentioned, in assessing how to best proceed with such information to help with the management of the GIC appointee in question.

National Defence committee  I am not aware of what the ombudsman would have done following our conversation.

National Defence committee  Madam Chair, that is an important consideration. As I have spoken about [Technical difficulty—Editor] apply to how we manage issues of conduct of a GIC appointee have to take that into consideration. The wishes of the person who is affected or is bringing that forward, and the inability to provide any details to the potential respondent, would be a matter of concern as well, so it's very difficult.

National Defence committee  I don't have enough information on the specific situation Mr. Walbourne raised to make that kind of an assessment. I have said, and I would repeat, that we need to find a way to make sure that people will come forward, and whether there is fear of reprisal or concern about how broadly that information might be shared, we need to make sure that we have independent, safe spaces for people to come forward to.

National Defence committee  I am not in a position to confirm that information. I believe it would be a cabinet confidence, but I will respond as requested.

National Defence committee  Thank you for that question. I think it's an important opportunity to clarify a little bit. The performance management program, as I said and as is posted on our website, does involve ministers being consulted about the GIC appointees within their portfolio, so—

National Defence committee  So in the performance management process. I believe there is a distinction in terms of the actual decision on the change in pay, the awarding of the pay at risk under the performance management program, that those are managed through my office and preparing recommendations to the Governor in Council...so ministers do not set the pay.

National Defence committee  Again, if I can clarify, we make recommendations to the Governor in Council. In respect of those changes in pay, the setting of pay on an annual basis. I do not make the decisions myself as a public servant and—

National Defence committee  That would be—

National Defence committee  The personal information of an individual in their performance review process.... The performance review process takes into account all aspects of performance: leadership, management, the corporate responsibility, corporate commitments across the government. There are various elements, and an allegation or the existence of an allegation or an investigation that is going on would not be...it would be taken into account in the context of an ongoing investigation.

National Defence committee  I cannot—

National Defence committee  I cannot confirm the details of personal information in a person's file.

National Defence committee  As I have described our role, we do provide independent, non-partisan, professional public service advice to support ministers and the Prime Minister in managing the GIC cadre...particular appointees where issues arise. It is something that we would have worked...either with the portfolio in any of those avenues you've described, investigation or otherwise, to ensure that kind of follow-up was done.

National Defence committee  Thank you for that clarification. No, I would say that we had not provided any advice or information to the minister when he met with Mr. Walbourne. My understanding of that meeting is that they had a discussion. This is from the testimony to date. They had a discussion themselves, and we would not have provided advice in advance of that.

National Defence committee  May I clarify, in 2018?