Procedure and House Affairs committee  I did not read the report. I did not open it. The report and the e-mail were deleted from our system at about 3:30 on Friday afternoon, so I did not read it and did not open it.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Yes, indeed, I follow all the obligations that are required of me under the act.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  If I may, I'll start. I certainly understand the Speaker's ruling and the respect all of us must have for Parliament as an institution. In my 25 years in my professional career here in Ottawa, I have never seen anything like this or borne witness to anything like this. The critical point is that in my own case, when we got it we did not forward it to anyone.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  —I had made up my mind, sir.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  We hire people on the basis of understanding where they're coming from and on judgment. And I can assure you that at about 12:46 p.m. on Thursday, November 18—

Procedure and House Affairs committee  I'd like to also state that on the Friday when we found out and determined—

Procedure and House Affairs committee  I think that's one of the things we're all learning here, and with the benefit of hindsight that—

Procedure and House Affairs committee  I did not contact her.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  The time that it was sent to me I was with clients. We were running in between meetings, and I was actually late, or our clients were late, for a meeting. I looked at that e-mail on my BlackBerry. When you read an e-mail on a BlackBerry, you glance at the first line, maybe two, and then dismiss it.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  I met Mr. Ullyatt back in April or so, and I was impressed with him. We shared a few things in common. Both of us came out of the Ottawa Valley and there were a few other things in life that we shared. And yes, I considered him a friend.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  We attend the same church.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  I'm Howard Mains. I'm a co-president of Tactix Government Relations and Public Affairs.