Government Operations committee  Well, you asked him this morning. I wasn't here. My understanding—

Government Operations committee  Listen, the story is there. It is what it is. I think you're calling on me to answer questions. I'm answering questions. I won't speculate on why it's out there.

Government Operations committee  Bad blood with whom?

Government Operations committee  No, he beat me, so there shouldn't be bad blood. No, absolutely not.

Government Operations committee  That would be Meili Faille.

Government Operations committee  Absolutely.

Government Operations committee  I believe that to be the case, sir. I know it's a coincidence, but it's a good thing you singled it out.

Government Operations committee  I'm tempted to say the first time I ran into him was actually five minutes ago.

Government Operations committee  I believe so. We may have met at a large Chamber of Commerce function; he may have come over and shook.... But, frankly, I do not know the individual at all.

Government Operations committee  No.

Government Operations committee  They have not. Well, they didn't make them to me personally.

Government Operations committee  No, sir.

Government Operations committee  No. As I said earlier, I inherited a file that was already before the courts. When I was briefed on this matter by my deputy and his senior staff, I was satisfied that they had undertaken the right course of action, that they were properly defending the crown's rights, and I still believe that to be the case today, two years later.

Government Operations committee  Absolutely not.

Government Operations committee  No.