Government Operations committee  Absolutely not.

Government Operations committee  With respect to those allegations that you've brought up yet again, I will tell you that I did not get involved in awarding contracts. I think if you were to question current or past senior executives of the department, they would so confirm to you.

Government Operations committee  No.

Government Operations committee  Did I collect money, or did I raise money, for my own...?

Government Operations committee  For my own riding, there were people raising money for me, yes.

Government Operations committee  Well, you have the list in front of you. Some of them are from that industry, just as there are some from many other industries. Monsieur Coderre recited a few.

Government Operations committee  No.

Government Operations committee  No, no. There was a speech about what the government was doing and about what I was doing in Montreal. It ended like that.

Government Operations committee  As regards that contract, I was not informed about it. If the winner of a contract, whether it be this one or another one, is unable to comply with the terms of the contract... You won't be surprised that that isn't the first time that a government supplier has not come up to the mark and has been replaced.

Government Operations committee  You're wrong because the renovation of Parliament Hill represents billions of dollars.

Government Operations committee  It represents billions of dollars. And we discuss how the work will be done from a macroeconomic standpoint, from a logistical standpoint. I relied on the department. And you should rely on it because it's a very good department where excellent officials manage the mechanics of awarding each of the aspects of the contracts.

Government Operations committee  But you don't think the minister wakes up in the morning and manages 10,000 contracts.

Government Operations committee  Of course, that's not incompatible. Did you hear me tell you that I wasn't responsible?

Government Operations committee  I told you I was responsible, and I am here today to say so.

Government Operations committee  Chair, if you don't mind, I'd like to finish my answer. You asked me—