Information & Ethics committee  Yes, except in the Conflict of Interest Act.

Information & Ethics committee  I believe that is determined by the observer, but I will refrain from commenting on the decision of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner.

Information & Ethics committee  Okay.

Information & Ethics committee  As a general matter, it is not.

Information & Ethics committee  That's what the commissioner found, but let me clarify one point, if I may. While there are departmental officials involved in the execution of these contracts, the material decisions to pick the supplier in a sole-source contract, to determine the contract price and value, and

Information & Ethics committee  No.

Information & Ethics committee  If that's okay with you, I will let my colleague answer the question.

Information & Ethics committee  Pardon?

Information & Ethics committee  Did you say “an interest”?

Information & Ethics committee  I believe the term is well defined in the Conflict of Interest Act. It is a situation where the receipt of an advantage is in the personal interest of a public office holder or a person with whom they are associated.

Information & Ethics committee  I would say that as a general matter—again, from the point of view of a public servant—it was very important that Canadians understand what supports and services were available to them.

Information & Ethics committee  Mr. Pilon?

Information & Ethics committee  Generally, again, it would take quite a long time to bring staff up to speed as fully functioning members of the team. I would hazard a guess that it's in the order of months.

Information & Ethics committee  Those who face the media do receive media training as a mandatory thing.

Information & Ethics committee  There was a very high volume of media inquiries about a whole range of things that were happening at the time.