Information & Ethics committee  I report to the minister.

Information & Ethics committee  I didn't report to them. I simply informed them of my decision.

Information & Ethics committee  Yes.

Information & Ethics committee  It was my decision; I was the final approval on behalf of the minister.

Information & Ethics committee  No, I was acting on behalf of the minister.

Information & Ethics committee  I made the decision and I informed them of my decision.

Information & Ethics committee  I made my decision and I simply told them of my decision.

Information & Ethics committee  I have no idea.

Information & Ethics committee  It would be impossible to speculate. I would suggest that the figure would probably be low.

Information & Ethics committee  Generally, yes.

Information & Ethics committee  I don't make the Prime Minister's Office aware of every media inquiry that comes through the department, no.

Information & Ethics committee  No. Some of them--

Information & Ethics committee  Some of them have to do with the budget, for instance. Some of them have to do with overall government messaging. In my role, I'm there to complement what the department does, and I believe I accomplish that.

Information & Ethics committee  Well, the decision is often made if... The Prime Minister and other ministers are often asked questions from the media on a wide range of topics, not simply topics that just pertain to their portfolios. If I believe that the media inquiry could be asked of another minister, I make the other minister aware.

Information & Ethics committee  No.