Government Operations committee  Though I don't personally, I don't want people to think that I am hands-off to a point where I don't know what's happening. I do know what's happening.

Government Operations committee  I deal at arm's length. A lot of MPs write me letters, not just Conservative MPs, but Liberal MPs and Bloc MPs write me letters about issues that deal with their constituents and Public Works; they're disappointed because their constituents lost the contract or something. I get this all the time, and we look into the file and give them an official response based on what public officials tell us at Public Works.

Government Operations committee  Nobody approached me. I wasn't invited to that meeting.

Government Operations committee  No, I was aware that my chief of staff was going to attend that meeting. He briefed me after the meeting, and that was it.

Government Operations committee  He didn't phone me.

Government Operations committee  I'll run in Vaudreuil--Soulanges.

Government Operations committee  I am, sir, indeed.

Government Operations committee  You are asking if this is customary, Ms. Faille, but as you know, when I inherited this file on February 6, 2006, it was already before the courts, and it is still before the courts today. My chief of staff met with Mr. Soudas in August 2006. Obviously, the deputy minister, his team and I discussed this matter on several occasions following that initial meeting, but never in the presence of anyone from the PMO.

Government Operations committee  There was a good reason for that. The information was not relevant. Currently, we lease two buildings. I imagine that you are very familiar with the dispute and that you have read up on this case. The buildings that were sold that summer belonged to the government. Therefore, there was no point talking about buildings that did not belong to us.

Government Operations committee  From that perspective, we mustn't be afraid of being afraid, Ms. Bourgeois.

Government Operations committee  We mustn't be afraid of being afraid. In the matter under review this morning, the government leases quite a large number of buildings. The Rosdev Group owns two buildings, or a small percentage of the leasing portfolio. Disputes have arisen with very few of our landlords. We are on good terms with our landlords, and we have an excellent relationship with Larco Investments.

Government Operations committee  No.

Government Operations committee  To be quite honest, my chief of staff informed me that he had met with Mr. Soudas. I don't know if that qualifies as interest on the part of the PMO. Mr. Soudas asked him some questions and a meeting took place. That was when I learned that Mr. Soudas had contacted my chief of staff.

Government Operations committee  Yes, absolutely.

Government Operations committee  You're saying that some representatives of the Rosdev Group were at the meeting?