Government Operations committee  I was briefed by my department on this issue, and I've also said in the House of Commons—you can check Hansard—that the only interaction I had during that period of time with, for instance, Irving shipyards, was being copied on a letter that was sent to two other ministers. I was copied on a letter that was sent to two other ministers.

Government Operations committee  Mr. McCauley, Treasury Board's responsibility on expenditure management extends on—

Government Operations committee  Mr. McCauley, Treasury Board's responsibility to provide due diligence and to work to ensure good value for tax dollars extends to every government department and agency, and it is exerted at all cabinet committees in which I participate.

Government Operations committee  Actually, one of the areas that we've become very involved in is the area of digital, for instance. One of the situations—

Government Operations committee  Mr. McCauley, this was a—

Government Operations committee  Mr. McCauley, I've said, as I've said in the House, that I do my job—

Government Operations committee  —as Treasury Board president, and I do it—

Government Operations committee  When we—

Government Operations committee  I would—

Government Operations committee  Treasury Board actually plays a role in cabinet committees on an ongoing basis in terms of challenge function. That's one of the reasons the President of the Treasury Board is a member of all cabinet committees, as is the Minister of Finance—

Government Operations committee  Treasury Board is involved in all major expenditures. Ultimately, on defence procurement, you actually have PSPC, Public Services and Procurement Canada, which leads the charge with National Defence. ISED is also involved.

Government Operations committee  The Treasury Board president does sit on the Treasury Board cabinet committee. He, in fact, chairs it. However, just on this, it's important—

Government Operations committee  The mandate of Public Services and Procurement Canada is to get the best value for tax dollars in an open and transparent process. National Defence's mandate is to get the best possible equipment for our brave men and women in uniform. ISED's mandate is to get the best possible jobs and ITBs for Canadians in terms of economic benefit.

Government Operations committee  I don't recall exact dates of cabinet committees, but we can certainly—

Government Operations committee  Yes, we formed government in early November, as you'll recall, and I think cabinet was sworn in on November 4. That's the point at which I became President of the Treasury Board.