Public Accounts committee  In the thousands.

Public Accounts committee  Yes, they were, Madame.

Public Accounts committee  No. Just to add to the record, in 2004 I was nominated for the deputy minister's award at Consulting and Audit Canada.

Public Accounts committee  Never.

Public Accounts committee  Never.

Public Accounts committee  I got the boot.

Public Accounts committee  That's the way we operated at Consulting and Audit Canada. That was the box I operated in, like everybody else.

Public Accounts committee  I started in July 2000. I was suspended, with pay, in September 2004.

Public Accounts committee  No, I don't. I had the opportunity to see it once before and I gave the same answer that I gave to you. I'm not sure I was the one who scored it. You have to realize that I was managing over 1,000 contracts at that time.

Public Accounts committee  It was standard practice at Consulting and Audit Canada.

Public Accounts committee  It is a way of allowing people to take their retirement and then start working for the government again the following day or the day after.

Public Accounts committee  I said that because we deal with external clients, with all other departments.

Public Accounts committee  Yes, that is what I am saying.

Public Accounts committee  I understand.

Public Accounts committee  No. I told the appropriate people that I knew Mr. Smith from when I was young. No one asked me to recuse myself.