Procedure and House Affairs committee  The panel was briefed about activities that were happening in ridings that were difficult to attribute to foreign interference at the time, and that were potentially of interest. It did not rise to the level of the panel adjudicating it as a matter of foreign interference in the

Procedure and House Affairs committee  For the record, Madam Chair, Mr. Morrison was also on the panel for the 2021 elections.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  “No” is my answer.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  No.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  We did not, as such. There were regular briefings of political parties and representatives of political parties by officials, but not by the panel.

Information & Ethics committee  As I said in the comment I made earlier, I believe it was very important for Canadians to know what was available to them in terms of service and support at a very challenging time economically. That was clearly, I would think, the principal consideration there. The other commen

Information & Ethics committee  Well, I will note that all contracts issued are proactively disclosed a quarter after they are issued. That's for any contract over $10,000. Canadians do have access to all government contracts, their nature and amount, so, to some degree, the system relies on the accountability

Information & Ethics committee  You've heard me suggest that I think that usually training could be offered to exempt staff. I believe the departmental officials are very well trained, and it's a matter of process.

Information & Ethics committee  No, sir. Where a sole-source contract is involved, at this point in time, we execute it on behalf of the minister's office. The obligation rests with ministers and their offices to determine whether there is a conflict of interest. We could indeed improve the system, but that is

Information & Ethics committee  It was in October of last year.

Information & Ethics committee  No. The contract was for two sessions, and it was $16,000, but I'm not sure how long the sessions were.

Information & Ethics committee  It would not be in our possession as a department, no.

Information & Ethics committee  Sir, I would suggest that that matter is a very tenuous reference, and I would not have any comment on it in this case.

Information & Ethics committee  It is not up to me to agree or disagree.

Information & Ethics committee  I don't have an answer to that question, sir.