Public Accounts committee  Yes.

Public Accounts committee  Mr. Chairman, I believe I have been directed by the court and by Parliament not to deal with the question of contempt. I again refer to the judgment of the Federal Court, in paragraph 65: Finally, if Parliament has reason to believe that a witness has deliberately misled the House, it is up to Parliament, and Parliament alone, to initiate proceedings and discipline such conduct.

Public Accounts committee  Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to clarify that. In my response, when I referred to there being no discipline process, I was referring to matters within my purview and the purview of the RCMP, and those are disciplinary procedures pursuant to the RCMP Act. In answer to the honourable member's question, I refer again to the decision of the Federal Court, which in essence directs me as commissioner, and I quote again: “...if the House believes it was misled, it is for the House alone to investigate and punish this offence.”

Public Accounts committee  I don't think it would be appropriate for me to speculate, but if and when matters unfold, we will consider those matters and consider what, if any, further action is warranted.

Public Accounts committee  Thank you, Mr. Chairman. First of all, I'd just like to clarify. In your question, when you used the term “you”, if you mean the RCMP, then I certainly agree with you. But I do think that it's important to be clear, as well, with respect to which officer of the RCMP played which specific role in all of this.

Public Accounts committee  Deputy Commissioner Sweeney was appointed the appropriate officer, which is the process followed when a formal discipline process is initiated under the RCMP Act. He made a determination based on his evaluation of the evidence as to whether there were sufficient grounds to proceed to adjudication.

Public Accounts committee  The deputy commissioner will be doing a number of projects pending the start of educational leave that was agreed to in an agreement entered into by Commissioner Busson on March 27, 2007.

Public Accounts committee  Thank you, Mr. Chairman. There was no agreement with respect to the reinstatement. I and others indicated to the deputy commissioner that she would be reinstated. I informed the deputy commissioner that I would not be reassigning her to the position of deputy commissioner of human resources and chief human resources officer.

Public Accounts committee  Mr. Chairman, I would like to clarify an important matter: Deputy Commissioner Sweeney never made a recommendation. He was, pursuant to the code, appointed as the appropriate officer. It is up to the appropriate officer to make a determination with respect to whether to proceed or to not proceed.

Public Accounts committee  Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As I indicated, when I became Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, a formal process had already begun. That process was based on three specific allegations. As we have noted, the second of those three allegations was beyond the purview of the investigation and the process, following actions taken by this committee and the House of Commons as confirmed by the Federal Court.

Public Accounts committee  Thank you, Mr. Chairman. At the outset, I would like to tell you that there may have been a little bit of confusion between the committee clerk and my office. I don't have a written statement, but I would certainly be happy to begin by commenting or responding to the motion that is the subject of my appearance this morning, and then I'll try to respond to any questions.

Public Accounts committee  Mr. Chairman, I just want to begin by saying I take exception to the honourable member's comments accusing me of hiding behind things. In my role as a public servant, I had an obligation to the governments that I served to provide frank, confidential advice. It is not appropriate for me to reveal that advice.

Public Accounts committee  We have legislation passed by the Government of Canada to provide protection to those who come forward with information or allegations of impropriety. We have the creation of the Office of the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner. Internal to the RCMP, there is what I guess I would describe as informal reinvigoration of the role of the ethics adviser, but I think up to this point nothing further formally has been put in place.

Public Accounts committee  Certainly the RCMP has had a demographic challenge for a number of years, like other departments and agencies of the federal government. The intake was very limited. We have taken concrete steps to increase our recruitment. Significant investments have been made in the training academy in Regina.

Public Accounts committee  First of all, I'd like to clarify one thing. The answer I gave a moment ago was not completely accurate. I did meet with Mr. Day this week; we did discuss the fact that I would be appearing. But we did not have discussions about what it is I would be testifying on.