Government Operations committee  Oh, no, absolutely not. That was the reason.

Government Operations committee  Not only have I not been a spokesperson, I don't even know the business Mr. Gillani conducts in his firm, other than what we basically were introduced to the first time we met.

Government Operations committee  May I respond, Mr. Warkentin? As I mentioned to you, and I'm glad you're clarifying this, we were discussing my business website earlier and I told you that on that website there is no reference to securing any sort of government support--on our business website. Now, there was some sort of reference to that on my personal website.

Government Operations committee  Mr. Lukiwski, the only thing I can say to you is that I personally feel that was never the intention of anything we were trying to do. And in particular, the proof is always in the pudding. Did we actually do the kind of work we are alleged to have said we had done? I can only say to you that I took great care to avoid any type of activity, whether lobbying or trying to influence anyone in any capacity, because that wasn't where I wanted to be.

Government Operations committee  I'll respond to your question if you wish me to. The initial reason we were introduced to Mr. Gillani was for a review of a technology that he may have done a deal with. He approached us to look at this technology. We looked at it--

Government Operations committee  Yes. We looked at it, and we thought the technology was good, but it was clear that the way Mr. Gillani was modelling his business, there was no way our business was going to go in that direction. We don't raise money to take companies public. We don't do any of this work. So that was his business.

Government Operations committee  I don't understand what you're referring to.

Government Operations committee  I can't recall the exact dates, but the business potential of exploration didn't end that night. It had just begun a couple of weeks ahead when we were introduced to Mr. Gillani for, as I said, this technology.

Government Operations committee  Only to return the material he sent to us and to say that it doesn't look like we will have any involvement moving forward. I sent back that material and that was the end of it.

Government Operations committee  I've been to Belize, yes.

Government Operations committee  Being a former member of Parliament—

Government Operations committee  If you will let me, these are based on allegations—

Government Operations committee  Well, this is important. Would you rather I answer or not?

Government Operations committee  I have no understanding of any of these things that were dug up by The Toronto Star. I have no idea about any of these types of business dealings in Belize because I have no interest in Belize. I don't think I would be having the financial difficulty that I'm having trying to build a new business if I had interests in Belize.

Government Operations committee  I'm not subject to any inquiry from the Prime Minister's Office.