Public Safety committee  Thank you. I find it interesting that an average person, hearing about the possibility that a minister was involved with someone who has clear ties or is alleged to have had clear ties and links with Mom Boucher.... I don't think there's a person in Quebec who doesn't know who Mom Boucher is.

Public Safety committee  Thank you. On page 2 of the document you tabled with the Committee, you discuss background checks and state the following: A background check is conducted on prospective Cabinet appointees in order to ensure that there is no criminal, security or other concerns which could affect their suitability for public office.

Public Safety committee  So in that case, your answer is no. Any allegation that came to your attention, by whatever means, that the spouse of a minister had close links and ties to organized crime is not a concern that would possibly call into question the suitability of that minister for public office and require a further check?

Public Safety committee  —“and second, if he knows it, why didn't he tell us? And third, I don't know if any of this is true. Perhaps I should contact the RCMP and ask them to do a check to see whether or not any of these allegations are true, first. Second, if they are, does that have any implication for security?”

Public Safety committee  On a point of order, Chair, I would just like to make one point. All the information regarding—

Public Safety committee  —Madame Couillard's background became public after the second and most recent background check.

Public Safety committee  And I've just made it again.

Public Safety committee  By the minister.

Public Safety committee  Okay, it was the afternoon. Who informed the Prime Minister of these missing documents, and when was he informed?

Public Safety committee  You've stated before the committee, Ms. Bloodworth, that you learned about the missing documents late afternoon, early evening, on Monday, May 26. That's correct?

Public Safety committee  Are you aware that the then minister, now former minister, has made two statements about that--one where he says that he informed the Prime Minister on Monday, May 26, and another where he says he informed the Prime Minister immediately that he learned of the missing documents on the Sunday evening?

Public Safety committee  You've said that a private security firm is doing the investigation on the forensic police and security side for DFAIT into the whole issue of the missing documents. Do you know why the RCMP is not conducting this part of the investigation and review?

Public Safety committee  Yes, I know.

Public Safety committee  And I'm asking you, do you know why Foreign Affairs decided to hire a private firm to assist them in their review of this entire affair of the missing documents rather than ask the RCMP to assist them?

Public Safety committee  In fact, Ms. Bloodworth, the RCMP investigate to determine whether or not there's sufficient evidence and reasonable grounds to believe a criminal act has been committed and, if so, whether they have sufficient evidence to determine who committed the act, and then whether the evidence is reasonable and sufficient to support criminal charges against them.