Senator Plett: I’m not asking you to break any confidentiality, but you made a point of suggesting that it was not the other place. I think my question is perfectly legitimate.

I am proud to be a member of the Conservative Party of Canada. I am proud to be part of a national caucus. Today, I was at a national caucus meeting. I am proud to be part of the leadership of the Conservative Party of Canada. I make no apologies for collaboration. They don’t tell us what to do and we don’t tell them what to do, but we talk.

You made a lot of comments that alluded to this being your decision and not theirs. So, if that is the case, my question is very legitimate and I will ask it again: Were you in any way encouraged by the House leader to do this?