Public Accounts committee  On matters regarding the governance of the organization, the buck stops with the deputy minister. That's why I'm here speaking. I don't think I'm in a position to talk about what individual employees did or did not do, just as, frankly, a basic matter of accountability and privacy.

Public Accounts committee  I became aware of the concerns that have been raised contemporaneously with committee members. I was not deputy at the time and was not involved in those events.

Public Accounts committee  As to my awareness of these historical events and the concerns raised, I learned about them I would say more or less at the same time the committee did.

Public Accounts committee  I was made aware of these concerns about the improper documentation of a conflict of interest through the whistle-blower process and the review by RCGT. Had I been aware of these kinds of lapses, you can been assured that the organization would have been moving quickly to fix them.

Public Accounts committee  Yes. Sorry.

Public Accounts committee  I was not aware of these activities.

Public Accounts committee  Yes, I certainly have heard that before.

Public Accounts committee  It's fair to say this would be one possible example. Yes, I agree with that.

Public Accounts committee  I would agree with the findings of the Auditor General, absolutely.

Public Accounts committee  This is something we have to follow up on with the new management team at SDTC. I think it's important to note—

Public Accounts committee  What I would say is that we agree with the findings of the Auditor General. We agree that there needs to be enhanced oversight of the activities of SDTC, particularly with regard to adherence to the contribution agreement.

Public Accounts committee  I've given the answer I'm giving on this question.

Public Accounts committee  Yes.

Public Accounts committee  I'll have to get back to you on that. Just to be clear for the member, this is an area we've been looking at deeply. Work is under way to renovate the role of the observer. I'll have to get back to you with the details. I'd be happy to do that.

Public Accounts committee  Thank you for the question. I think it is important to note that when we received the results from Raymond Chabot, we made an action plan and asked the Sustainable Development Technology Canada board of directors to implement it. I can’t speak for the Auditor General, but, if I understand correctly, the elements of the action plan addressed a large number of the Auditor General’s concerns.