Public Safety committee  No, they don't just do their own thing. Deputy ministers in departments are responsible for setting out the procedures in their department, but there are standards set by the Treasury Board within which they do that.

Public Safety committee  The short answer is that I don't know, because the review has not been completed in this case. But if I can try to be a little more helpful, deputy ministers are responsible for setting out the procedures for handling documents in their departments, but the ministers are also responsible for things that are within their office.

Public Safety committee  It would go through me.

Public Safety committee  But it's not the case in this case, if that's your question.

Public Safety committee  I suppose anything is possible. It's possible.

Public Safety committee  The norm would be for the RCMP to contact me. It's not impossible to contact Mr. Lynch, but they didn't.

Public Safety committee  Pardon me?

Public Safety committee  Yes, it is Mr. Lynch.

Public Safety committee  Mr. Lynch would certainly be involved in anything involving cabinet ministers.

Public Safety committee  It generally speaking would, but not necessarily. It's usually the case that it would come through me. It's not a rule that it has to; if I was not available, they could talk to Mr. Lynch.

Public Safety committee  Well, there are several measures, and I'll turn to Mr. Tardif if I forget some. In general, there are, first of all, locked briefcases provided to ministers. Second, they can have safes in their homes and locations, and a number do. Third, they have staff who can transport documents for them.

Public Safety committee  They are certainly advised to use great care when they take documents outside of the office, not to leave them in public spaces, and to be careful about talking about things in public areas, if that's your question. I'm not sure I--

Public Safety committee  Yes.

Public Safety committee  Just to be clear, we don't investigate anyone. What we do are background checks through the various agencies. Those background checks are done--yes, if that's your question--on the potential appointee or, in the case of the updates, on the person in the position, not on their spouses.

Public Safety committee  It still wouldn't be us who would do the investigation. It would be either the police or the security agency, depending on the circumstances. We're not an investigative agency. That is what I'm trying to say.