Information & Ethics committee  They did not know about the cash when they said that the investigation was over. I can assure you that Mr. Kaplan—and I'm sure you'll have him here—has impeccable sources. They did not know. They had heard a rumour about it, which makes it even more extraordinary that they shut down the investigation.

Information & Ethics committee  When the RCMP questioned me in 1995, I had the impression that it was just beginning its investigation. But it was only that, an impression, it was not based on any facts.

Information & Ethics committee  I said I was not in Ottawa when the Airbus contract was let.

Information & Ethics committee  Mr. Hiebert, with respect, your committee invited me here today. Your committee knew that I was not in Ottawa in 1985. So I don't know why you're interrogating me this way. You summoned me to Ottawa. With the things I've written in The Globe and Mail and the things that I've written in the afterword of the Kaplan book, assuming you've read them, this committee obviously felt that I did have information that was relevant.

Information & Ethics committee  I met once with him after I was handed the Bear Head file. I met with him to get his side of the story. It was that process that eventually led to my telling Mr. Mulroney that—

Information & Ethics committee  But you also had... I remember the matter involving the Oxygène 9 company, for example. I said it was a problem involving two parties here in Ottawa, because there are two other parties, the New Democrats and the Bloc, that have never been in government. However, that is not true in Quebec.

Information & Ethics committee  No, I was not even in Ottawa during those years. I arrived in Ottawa in 1986, so in fact when the RCMP came to ACOA looking for the copy of the agreement in our files, because ACOA was the lead agency, it was only by accident that I was there. They didn't come looking for me for a statement about Bear Head.

Information & Ethics committee  Of Frank Moores, I had no.... I'm not even sure. I was speaking about Mr. Doucet.

Information & Ethics committee  I met with Mr. Schreiber.

Information & Ethics committee  That would be 1990.

Information & Ethics committee  During those years, I had no knowledge of his dealings with Mr. Schreiber. Mr. Mulroney did hand me the Bear Head file. But with what we've learned subsequent to 1996, it certainly looks as though Mr. Mulroney had more than passing dealings with Mr. Schreiber.

Information & Ethics committee  Yes, very surprising. Well-tilled ground.

Information & Ethics committee  I agree.

Information & Ethics committee  Even an intelligent person like myself did not ask the question.

Information & Ethics committee  It is true that it is quite striking.