Information & Ethics committee  Mr. Chair, with all due respect, the member's prelude is false; that information is not correct. That's not what the minister said.

Information & Ethics committee  Mr. Chair, I was prepared to respond, but I think it's important to put into context, as I did my statement, my roles and responsibilities as a director of communications.

Information & Ethics committee  “Ministers are the principal spokespersons of the Government of Canada. They are supported in this role by...executive assistants, communication directors and press secretaries—”

Information & Ethics committee  Mr. Chair, if I may, in the previous question, the member said “in the last month”. If you're quoting from the blues--

Information & Ethics committee  That's correct.

Information & Ethics committee  The minister is the principal spokesperson, so oftentimes there are specific reasons. Oftentimes if you're dealing with issues related to common government messaging such as the economic action plan, there are changes that are often minor, but changes sometimes are made.

Information & Ethics committee  As I said in my statement, ministers are the official spokespersons of the Government of Canada, but they're supported in that role by people such as myself, directors of communications, and I was acting on behalf of the minister.

Information & Ethics committee  I do not instruct...I do not make the minister aware of every single media inquiry the department receives, no.

Information & Ethics committee  In some cases, yes.

Information & Ethics committee  Other ministers' offices that... Ministers are often required to answer questions on a regular basis from media, members of the public, and constituents. So if there's an issue where ministers could potentially be asked, I could make other ministers' offices aware--

Information & Ethics committee  I'm sorry. Can the member repeat the question?

Information & Ethics committee  Mr. Chair, as I said in my statement, my goal was to provide accurate information in a timely manner. That was accomplished. I spoke to the ADM in response and I told him my decision, and he agreed.

Information & Ethics committee  Mr. Chair, in respect to the member's question, I've just indicated that I did speak to the ADM responsible for communications and I informed him of my decision and the reason why, and that was to provide accurate information in a timely manner. The ad campaign was not finished at the time, and just to refer to my statement, the question was to provide costs and the frequency of the ads.

Information & Ethics committee  —if I may, that's why accurate information was provided.

Information & Ethics committee  I'll refer that question to the minister.