Public Accounts committee  In 2002 the department was very much focused on client service. The changes that have come into place with respect the downsizing of space, achieving expenditure savings for the crown and so on, have been changes that have come in in the last few years. So part of our mantra, par

Public Accounts committee  The money, with the exception of the direct cost to the client here, was Public Works' money. The decision, as has been pointed out, was based on an economic analysis that we did. We showed that the transaction, in and of itself, netted a positive benefit to the crown of approxim

Public Accounts committee  I believe I have already indicated that I did not receive any direction directly from the minister's office in this regard. My instructions to hold the activity would have presumably come via either the associate or the deputy minister. You would understand that there is a lot

Public Accounts committee  Mr. Chair, with respect to this lease, I did not personally receive any direction. I was asked a number of questions regarding the lease, and we interacted with our deputy or associate deputy at the time with respect to those questions. I do not feel we received direct instructio

Public Accounts committee  I could not speak for all of the leases. I could speak for the ones in which I interacted, and I believe we did have a fair amount of interaction with respect to a number of leases. However, interaction is not always deemed to be interference or direction, Mr. Chairman.

Public Accounts committee  No, not at this time.