Thank your for testimony, Ms. Weatherill. I must add to what my colleague, Wayne Easter, said about what the Conservatives implied or have already told you. As for your appointment, I would like to tell you that the Bloc Québécois would never, ever, call your expertise into question, be it in writing or in any other form. Everything that was said following your appointment had to do with the overall process chosen by the government five months after the listeriosis crisis. An investigation process was established. We spoke with a number of stakeholders. The media reported the concerns of numerous people who were either directly or indirectly affected by these events, including scientists. The lack of transparency surrounding the process is being called into question, not you, personally. It is our opinion that your mandate does not allow for full transparency.
This crisis has affected a number of people and, what is worse, some have even died. Families have been affected by this problem. My fellow party members and I feel that the process should have been as transparent as that followed by this subcommittee, as I am sure many parliamentarians, Quebeckers and Canadians would agree. We had to act despite the opposition of the government, which went to great lengths to keep us from setting up this subcommittee. That is where we are.
As it happens, my question has to do with perception. When you were appointed, the government had already given you a mandate....