Information & Ethics committee  Mr. Chair, thank you for inviting me to appear before this committee. Before I take the committee's questions, it's important for me to outline my roles and responsibilities as director of communications for the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development as outlined in “

Information & Ethics committee  The director of communications and departmental officials are also expected to follow all the rules under the guidelines of the Government of Canada's communications policy. Under the policy, and I quote: “Institutions must consult their minister's office when planning media ca

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

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

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

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  If I could refer to my statement, I enter the “Communications Policy of the Government of Canada”. “Ministers are the principal spokespersons of the Government of Canada—”

Information & Ethics committee  Mr. Chair, if I may finish...?

Information & Ethics committee  Mr. Chair, may I finish my remarks?

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.