Evidence of meeting #13 for Subcommittee on Food Safety in the 40th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was public.
A recording is available from Parliament.
5:05 p.m.
Professor, Institute of Population Health, University of Ottawa
I'm aware that you have not used any of those powers.
5:05 p.m.
Conservative
Brian Storseth Conservative Westlock—St. Paul, AB
You're aware that we haven't had to use any of those powers. Mr. Easter has had the ability to subpoena anybody that he has chosen, and even he has admitted that we've not had problems having witnesses come forth.
If you could answer the question, have you been employed by, or received funds from, the Liberal Party of Canada?
5:05 p.m.
Professor, Institute of Population Health, University of Ottawa
I will answer your question, but may I ask you something briefly first?
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Conservative
5:05 p.m.
Professor, Institute of Population Health, University of Ottawa
Is this matter about the protection of Canadians or about a partisan attack on evidence? To ask me whether I've been employed by the Liberal Party, or the NDP, or the Bloc, or the Conservative Party--
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Conservative
5:05 p.m.
Professor, Institute of Population Health, University of Ottawa
--is to engage in a partisan approach--
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Conservative
5:05 p.m.
Professor, Institute of Population Health, University of Ottawa
--to what is a fundamental threat to the health of Canadians.
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Conservative
The Chair Conservative Larry Miller
Mr. Attaran, please answer the question or not answer it, one or the other.
5:05 p.m.
Professor, Institute of Population Health, University of Ottawa
I have not.
5:05 p.m.
Conservative
Brian Storseth Conservative Westlock—St. Paul, AB
Have you ever been employed by or received funds from the leader of the Liberal Party, directly or indirectly from his office?
5:05 p.m.
Conservative
Brian Storseth Conservative Westlock—St. Paul, AB
Have you ever contributed money to the Liberal Party of Canada? It's published by Elections Canada.
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Liberal
Wayne Easter Liberal Malpeque, PE
The next time the Wheat Board is here, I guess we'll be asking that question.
5:05 p.m.
Professor, Institute of Population Health, University of Ottawa
If it is published by Elections Canada, then kindly tell me what you have found by looking it up.
5:05 p.m.
Professor, Institute of Population Health, University of Ottawa
You do not need to engage—
5:05 p.m.
Conservative
Brian Storseth Conservative Westlock—St. Paul, AB
If you don't feel comfortable answering the question, that's up to you.
5:05 p.m.
Professor, Institute of Population Health, University of Ottawa
I have never donated money to a political party, neither to the Liberals nor to the NDP. I have donated money to individual candidates. I'm not a member of either party. I would be delighted to donate money to individual candidates of the Conservative Party who demonstrated exemplary leadership. I donate to candidates or members who demonstrate exemplary leadership, irrespective of the party to which they belong.
5:05 p.m.
Professor, Institute of Population Health, University of Ottawa
If your line of questioning is to approach my testimony in partisan terms, then you are failing to address the fact that this year, as people over summer eat ready-to-eat meats, standards are as they were last year when—
5:05 p.m.
Professor, Institute of Population Health, University of Ottawa
—22 people died. That's a more serious matter—