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
—than any question about political parties.
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Conservative
5:05 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Larry Miller
Mr. Attaran, either answer the questions or don't answer them. But remember, it's his question.
5:05 p.m.
Professor, Institute of Population Health, University of Ottawa
I did answer that question.
5:05 p.m.
Conservative
Brian Storseth Conservative Westlock—St. Paul, AB
I think it's important to put context around your compelling testimony, Mr. Attaran. Do you have a personal relationship with the Liberal Party?
5:05 p.m.
Professor, Institute of Population Health, University of Ottawa
Define “personal relationship”.
5:05 p.m.
Conservative
Brian Storseth Conservative Westlock—St. Paul, AB
Have you had any contact with Mr. Easter and Ms. Bennett prior to this testimony today?
5:05 p.m.
Professor, Institute of Population Health, University of Ottawa
Of course I have. And I've had contact with other members as well. I've had contact in the past with members of the Conservative Party.
5:05 p.m.
Conservative
Brian Storseth Conservative Westlock—St. Paul, AB
It's clear that you're skeptical. The reason this is important is that, in my opinion, you're clearly here today to speak on behalf of Mr. Easter and Ms. Bennett, to say the things that they've been unwilling to say or have felt that, for political reasons, they could not say directly. You've been critical of industry's current role in food inspection. You're critical of the limit of 100 Listeria per gram in ready-to-eat foods. Do you agree with that? I mean, this is your testimony.
5:05 p.m.
Professor, Institute of Population Health, University of Ottawa
I do not agree with everything you've said. I'm not here on behalf of any member of this committee to say things that they are not comfortable with saying. I'm here in response to an invitation I received—
5:05 p.m.
Professor, Institute of Population Health, University of Ottawa
—from the committee.
5:05 p.m.
Professor, Institute of Population Health, University of Ottawa
May I finish my answer, sir, without being interrupted?
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Conservative
Brian Storseth Conservative Westlock—St. Paul, AB
Your testimony is not as compelling as it was before.
5:05 p.m.
Liberal
Wayne Easter Liberal Malpeque, PE
Point of order, Mr. Chair.
I object to Mr. Storseth's statement that Mr. Attaran is saying something on my behalf. I believe I had a meeting with Mr. Attaran perhaps three months ago. I did not know what his presentation would be until today, and I asked only one question of him.
5:10 p.m.
Conservative
James Bezan Conservative Selkirk—Interlake, MB
I refer the committee to Marleau and Montpetit, chapter 20, page 863, where it says: “There are no specific rules governing the nature of questions put to witnesses appearing before committees, beyond the general requirement of relevance to the issue before the committee. Witnesses must answer all questions which the committee puts to them.”
I just want to make sure you're aware that Mr. Storseth has the right to ask the questions he's asking.
5:10 p.m.
Bloc
André Bellavance Bloc Richmond—Arthabaska, QC
I have a point of order. I have not commented so far, but I have to say that I find this quite extraordinary. What Mr. Bezan just said is true: members have a right to ask whatever questions they want. However, they also have to give the witness a chance to respond.
Why this attitude, all of a sudden? In any case, the witness' answer demolished Mr. Storseth's theory right off the bat.
5:10 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Larry Miller
You have a point, Mr. Bellavance. However, the questioner has his seven minutes. If he doesn't feel the witness is answering directly, I'm not going to interfere. I am going to ensure that the witness either answers the question or doesn't. Then we'll move on. It's up to the member. I would treat you the same way, Mr. Bellavance.
5:10 p.m.
Bloc
André Bellavance Bloc Richmond—Arthabaska, QC
But the witness has given a direct answer to all the questions, right from the beginning.
5:10 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Larry Miller
It's not an issue with me—it is an issue for the questioner.
Mr. Anderson.
June 10th, 2009 / 5:10 p.m.
Conservative
David Anderson Conservative Cypress Hills—Grasslands, SK
I just think it's important to say that if Mr. Bellavance wants to talk about the question, Mr. Attaran wasn't answering the questions directly. Mr. Storseth deserves that answer. We know that Mr. Attaran donated $200 to Mr. Dion's campaign. We also know that Mr. Ignatieff helped him out at Harvard when he had some situations there that needed to be dealt with.
I think that he could be pretty clear on that and let us know what the situation is, and we'll probably have taken care of most of this.