Procedure and House Affairs committee  I have a few points. First of all, I've been outside the government for five years. I've been out of the PCO for five years. I don't have any access to my records. Having said that, even if I had, I wouldn't be able to discuss a classified memo. I don't want to be seen as trying to evade the question, so I will be clear that, during my period as national security adviser, yes, we briefed the Prime Minister on foreign interference by China and others, because, of course, it's not only China.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you for the invitation. I'd like to congratulate the committee on this study. It's essential for Canadians to be able to rely on a democracy that is free of foreign interference, during elections as well as its everyday activities. I'm pleased to meet everyone, but I can't disclose any classified information, as you know.

National Defence committee  No, I certainly would not want to be interpreted as having said that. What I said is there are two types of investigations. You have [Technical Difficulty—Editor] investigations when the allegation is about a transgression that is not of something that would be prosecuted as a crime.

National Defence committee  It's always dangerous to be hypothetical, Madam Member, as you know, but if the information, when you assess it, is to the point that somehow the person could be subject to blackmail and it could undermine their ability, yes, that could be a factor, in the same way that financial difficulties could be a factor.

National Defence committee  —is the will of the witness as well?

National Defence committee  If the national security adviser thinks, for example, there is a criminal situation that has taken place, as any official, as a client he can basically write and ask the RCMP, if it's a federal crime, to investigate this. It's not an issue of having the power; it's the issue of being able to present evidence because of the crime that has been committed or possibly committed.

National Defence committee  To be clear, as a senior official you always have the right if you think there is sufficient information to trigger an administrative investigation. If you think the transgression you're looking at may involve or result in criminal action, you would normally then invite the RCMP to look at what you have and they would be conducting the investigation.

National Defence committee  As I mentioned in my opening remarks, unless it's coming from one of the investigative agencies such as the RCMP, or CSIS in the case of security, most of the time this information will first come to senior personnel. They will assess whether it's an [Technical difficulty--Editor], whether it is a possible criminal action.

National Defence committee  As you know, and I believe you heard it from the former Clerk of the Privy Council last week, the chief of the defence staff, as a GIC appointment, serves at pleasure. People tend to look at both the administrative and the criminal process of investigation as the same. They are different.

National Defence committee  That is always a risk, of course, but it is not something that happens very often.

National Defence committee  Madam Chair, as I explained in my opening remarks, for the information to be taken from PCO senior personnel to the NSIA, they would have to determine that, first of all, they had enough information to assess whether it was an administrative matter or involved security or criminality.

National Defence committee  Thank you, Madam Chair. I appreciate the opportunity to contribute to the committee' work on this important matter. I have had the privilege to serve this country at home and abroad for more than 35 years. This has provided me the opportunity to work closely with national security organizations like the Canadian Armed Forces both internationally and domestically.

National Defence committee  I can stay until 2:00 p.m. or 2:30 p.m. today. Later than that would be problematic. I would be free on Friday.