Public Safety committee  Is that question directed towards me?

Public Safety committee  I'm not sure how to answer that question in terms of how we make the public understand that our work was not compromised. Our work could very well have become compromised. That's a very difficult question for me to answer.

Public Safety committee  That's correct. I never heard the minister or the Prime Minister's Office directing anyone to do anything. However, there has been evidence before this committee of emails that would suggest a certain or a significant interest in that information from the minister's office to the commissioner of the RCMP's office.

Public Safety committee  That's correct. I did not.

Public Safety committee  Can we just determine who the question is directed towards?

Public Safety committee  Okay, sorry. Could you just repeat the last part of your question, please?

Public Safety committee  As I testified earlier, Chair, there was pressure for information from all sides, whether it be the public, the media, government, or within the organization itself. However, it was clear during the meeting that the commissioner had said that she had made a promise and that it was tied to the legislation.

Public Safety committee  No, I didn't. In fact, it would be very inappropriate for me to have those conversations at that level. That would not happen at my level whatsoever.

Public Safety committee  I do believe that it was a bit of both. Any release of information that could have a negative or detrimental impact on an investigation falls into the operational side. I also believe that there was a potential benefit to releasing this information, so that's on the communication side.

Public Safety committee  Chair, it was an announcement that was made, and quite frankly I didn't want to hear anything more about it, and I didn't ask.

Public Safety committee  I can speak to my observations of the reactions of others in the room. One of my colleagues is here with me today, Lia Scanlan, and perhaps she can answer your question as well. I would say my perception was that the reactions were fairly consistent for those who were in the room with me.

Public Safety committee  I think it's simple. I don't necessarily want to get into a policy debate specifically. However, allowing the police a level of independence—and that includes the commissioner of the RCMP and those who work within the organization and for the commissioner—and respecting that independence is important, because we do have a job and we take it very seriously.

Public Safety committee  It's about independence.

Public Safety committee  Just to clarify the question that was asked, what type of pressure the minister was under.... Could you just clarify?

Public Safety committee  As I already testified, I wasn't present at or party to those conversations. I don't know how much pressure, if any, was being placed on the commissioner, because I wasn't part of that, but I do believe that because of the emotions and the need for answers, there were many people who were asking a number of questions, and I would imagine that would have placed a considerable amount of pressure on the commissioner of the RCMP at that time.