Evidence of meeting #4 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 health.
A recording is available from Parliament.
5:10 p.m.
Conservative
Bev Shipley Conservative Lambton—Kent—Middlesex, ON
I had said the report would be made public. So I don't think that needs to be a question.
5:10 p.m.
Bloc
André Bellavance Bloc Richmond—Arthabaska, QC
I do not think that it is a point of order. I said “if it is made public”. Anyway, it is not that important.
You were very brief in your answer; so just to make sure that I understand correctly, do you have the authority to request evidence, subpoena witnesses and compel people to meet certain obligations as part of your investigation?
5:10 p.m.
Independent Investigator, Listeriosis Investigative Review Secretariat
I believe the process we have set up is fair and effective. We do not have the power of subpoena, but no individual has refused to meet with us in an investigative interview. We have had extraordinarily good cooperation. People have been more than willing to come forward and tell us their views on what happened and to provide relevant documentation.
5:10 p.m.
Bloc
André Bellavance Bloc Richmond—Arthabaska, QC
What was the amount of the budget you were given for your investigation? How many people work with you?
5:10 p.m.
Independent Investigator, Listeriosis Investigative Review Secretariat
Our budget is $2 million. If I may, I'll get back to you tomorrow on the exact number of people.
5:10 p.m.
Bloc
5:10 p.m.
Independent Investigator, Listeriosis Investigative Review Secretariat
I don't have the exact number, but we can get that for you, probably before the end of the session. I believe it's around 20.
5:10 p.m.
Bloc
André Bellavance Bloc Richmond—Arthabaska, QC
So, if I understand what you have been saying all along, and based on what we know of your mandate, Canadians will pay $2 million for an investigation that will not allow you to determine where the responsibility ultimately lies. Witnesses will appear before you, but you do not have the authority to compel someone to testify if they refuse to do so; it is completely voluntary. Nor do you have the authority to request evidence.
I would like to know your opinion on this. Do you think that taxpayer money is being spent wisely if, at the end of the day, you have a very limited mandate, as we have said all along? Government members are telling us that you have in no way been influenced by the PMO or the minister. I can understand that because your mandate is so limited, they really have no need to try to influence you.
5:10 p.m.
Conservative
Brian Storseth Conservative Westlock—St. Paul, AB
Ms. Weatherill has already commented on the subpoena. But I would like to point out, for Mr. Bellavance's edification, that he has voted to have a parliamentary subcommittee not assign blame or fault in this, but to better the food safety standards of our country. So I think he has voted for the same thing the government is moving forward with finding.
5:10 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Larry Miller
Your point is taken.
You are just about out of time, so finish your question.
5:10 p.m.
Bloc
André Bellavance Bloc Richmond—Arthabaska, QC
I would like to respond, Mr. Chair, because I have a technical question about committee procedure. Mr. Storseth appears to be the third member of the Conservative party at the table. Does he have the right to interrupt me to speak? It does not bother me, but I just want to be sure that he has the right to do so. Either he does or he does not. There are now seven committee members present, three of which are Conservatives, including you. He is the third, and he spends his time interrupting me. I want to know whether he has the right to do so. I think the committee has to give unanimous consent before he is allowed to speak. If so, I definitely do not give my consent, because he will use his time to interrupt me. But I will, of course, give my consent so that the other two Conservative members can speak.
5:10 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Larry Miller
Mr. Bellavance, I've already clarified this with the clerk. Any party participating in this study on food safety can have 10 members, or as many as they want, sitting at the table. Each of those members has the very same power as anyone else, whether they're a regular member of the committee or not, except for voting privileges. Unless the clerk tells me otherwise, Mr. Anderson and Mr. Shipley are sworn-in members today. If it comes to a vote, only those two will be.... Mr. Storseth has the same rights as you or anybody else for all other things, including points of order.
You have less than 30 seconds.
5:15 p.m.
Bloc
André Bellavance Bloc Richmond—Arthabaska, QC
I do not want to take away anyone's rights, but I would like someone to check and tell me whether we can really bring colleagues who are allowed to speak at any time. If so, we just might bring more Bloc Québécois members to committee.
5:15 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Larry Miller
As I said, Mr. Bellavance, he can continue with regular questioning. Any member sitting at the table has the right to make points of order, and I've had that confirmed by the clerk. I didn't make the rules; I just have to enforce them.
Do you want to continue?
5:15 p.m.
Conservative
Brian Storseth Conservative Westlock—St. Paul, AB
As a point of clarification, it is disappointing to see Mr. Easter also participating in this, because he rants on publicly about how the powers of members of Parliament are being diminished and then participates in trying to diminish those powers.
But under Standing Order 119, Mr. Bellavance, I have that ability, as the chair has already indicated. You also know that in the composition of the original motion comprising this committee, we said we would have the same structure as the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food. The only thing I disagree on is that I can't be counted when taking quorum or moving motions.
5:15 p.m.
Conservative
5:15 p.m.
Bloc
André Bellavance Bloc Richmond—Arthabaska, QC
I would like the clerk to provide specific details on this issue, please. He does not have to do it on the spot.
5:15 p.m.
Conservative
5:15 p.m.
Bloc
André Bellavance Bloc Richmond—Arthabaska, QC
I want to be certain that the standing order allows another committee member to interrupt a colleague by rising on a point of order or by speaking. I have been on this committee for a few years. I do not claim to have the most experience in the world, but I thought that unanimous consent was needed before a member who was not a regular member could speak. That is my question. I do not need an answer this very second, but I would, at some point, like to see a copy of the standing order. I do not doubt what you said, but I want to read the standing order in question.
5:15 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Larry Miller
I will provide that. In the essence of time, I suggest we continue as we are. I will not allow Mr. Storseth or any other members subbing in to interrupt somebody. On a point of order, again they have that right. End of story.
We will get the information. I will have the clerk look it up and get it to you. You have, as I said, about 30 seconds left of your time if you want to use it.
Mr. Anderson has a point of order.
5:15 p.m.
Conservative
David Anderson Conservative Cypress Hills—Grasslands, SK
I would like to address this for a second, because I think we're seeing the opposition's frustration over this issue. They came here trying to find blame and some political intrigue, and they're not finding it. We saw their frustration on Monday. We see it boiling over today because they cannot find this. This government has been transparent in what it's doing. I know that's a frustration for them, but we're proud of what we've done.
5:15 p.m.
Conservative