It's highly unusual for a witness to indicate—and respectfully, sir—that they will not answer a question to a parliamentary committee, to refuse to answer a question. I think it is incumbent upon witnesses to understand the power of committees and that they have obligations to answer questions. They can answer them in a different way, but refusing to answer a question is not an option. I would ask that the committee compel the witness to answer the question that Mr. Fortin provided to him.
On June 7th, 2022. See this statement in context.