I'll just pause here for a minute. As all members know, in chapter 20 of O'Brien and Bosc, starting on page 1068.... I'll just read this:
Particular attention is paid to the questioning of public servants. [...] ...committees ordinarily accept the reasons that a public servant gives for declining to answer a specific question or series of questions which involve the giving of legal opinion, which may be perceived as a conflict with the witness' responsibility to the Minister, which are outside of their own area of responsibility, or which might affect business transactions.
I just say that because I believe this program is under NRCan rather than Environment Canada.
If you feel comfortable in replying, you're welcome to. If you don't, we have reasons for excusing you from answering those questions.