Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, Minister, for being here.
Minister, you wrapped up your comments by talking about safe food and the safe food act, the CFIA, your major investments, and your number one priority, but clearly what we saw last evening was a memo that has come to light that talks about almost the exact opposite.
Let me quote from the memo: Our number 1 priority is to ensure this standard is met with Japan eligible carcasses. When stationed at this position ensure that non Japan eligible carcasses are not inspected for spinal cord/dura-mater...and minor ingesta (Ignore them).
Based on what you just told this committee about the investments, about the people, about your attempt to tell us that our number one priority is safe food for Canadians and the world, how does this memo end up being reissued year after year, from 2008 until just two weeks ago? How can that happen?