Ms. Swan, I respectfully disagree, and I disagree strenuously.
You answered a question earlier--and I think it was to Mr. Bellavance--and you said it was quite clearly industry's responsibility for the safety of food. Ultimately, I believe it to be the Government of Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. I submit, Ms. Swan, it is your responsibility, as president, to oversee food safety in this country.
Ms. Swan, I don't pull any punches. Based on your response to that question, I really have to question whether or not you, as president, are up to the task of being in charge of the food safety system of this country. I'll just lay it right out on the table right now, because I am shocked by that answer. I am shocked that the president of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency would sit here and transfer blame to industry. I'm shocked.
Now, what happened in the listeriosis crisis...and Mr. McCain accepted full responsibility at the time. He did here today. What would have happened if it had been ABC Meat Packing Company with 40 employees? Would that individual have had the resources or been capable of going out there to be the face for food safety in the public arena?
You and the minister were both missing in action last year. The Canadian public wanted some transparency and honesty from the government and they never got it. And I submit here today, I'm questioning whether we're getting it from you.
I'm shocked by that answer. Would you reconsider?