Public Accounts committee  —but it contained the validation and verification that we sought so that we could indicate—

Public Accounts committee  That can be done.

Public Accounts committee  The letter was sent to me from Mr. Ross, the assistant deputy minister of materiel.

Public Accounts committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. I will link back to an earlier question about the parallels with shipbuilding. That was an experience where several attributes were identified that we felt allowed us to move forward and gave us, we think, a tremendous result, in terms of public confidence

Public Accounts committee  Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair, for the question. As Monsieur Guimont said in his opening comments, our supply manual requires that the client department—the technical authority, in this particular case—give us written confirmation that in a sole-source case the equipment they

Government Operations committee  That's right.

Government Operations committee  If I recall correctly, it was in 2006-2007.

Government Operations committee  I think there were two or three.

Government Operations committee  The company that won the contract was Royal LePage.

Government Operations committee  Mr. Chairman, it certainly can. But if I could, sir, Madame Saint Pierre retired after a 35-year career with the public service. There were no mysterious circumstances. Her retirement was predicted six months in advance. I just think it's important that this comment be made.

Government Operations committee  That's absolutely normal process that the minister's office would not be advised. We have 60,000 contracts and amendments every year. It is quite a normal process for the minister's office to have no involvement whatsoever in the actual administration of the contract--quite norma

Government Operations committee  Thank you for the question. Again, some context. We manage 60,000 contracts and amendments per year. If in fact we are 99.9% perfect, there are still 600 contracts annually where there are difficulties and challenges. We have processes and procedures in place for when those circ

Government Operations committee  Sir, I can't answer that. You'd have to address those questions to the RCMP.

Government Operations committee  You'd have to address your questions to the RCMP, sir. I don't have that information.

Government Operations committee  In 2007 I was employed at the Department of National Defence.