Thank you, Mr. Chair. I agree, Mr. Easter is done.
Mr. Minister, I want to thank you for coming in today. This is not the first time you've come before the agriculture committee. You've always been very accessible to us, and we appreciate that. We also appreciated your blunt honesty when it came to some of the questions today.
I want to start out by asking you some questions about the independent investigator. She is a lady who I believe is of great qualification. She has spent a good deal of her career in our capital health region in Edmonton, bettering our health services in that community. But it seems that every time the opposition comes to these committee meetings, in particular the Liberal opposition, they tend to ask questions about her and bring her qualifications to note. It is something when The Toronto Star isn't even agreeing with Mr. Easter any more. In fact, I'll quote an article from The Toronto Star:
The critics are overreaching. Weatherill's past experience can only aid her search for best practices. And it's not clear to us that Canada needs another costly and lengthy forum for lawyers to cross-examine those involved in the outbreak. All indications are that the main players will co-operate.
We heard from you today, Mr. Minister. The first question, as I've asked all our witnesses, is do you believe that Ms. Weatherill's qualifications are above reproach in this and that she has the qualifications to do an excellent job? Secondly, I would like you to put on the record once again that you have agreed to meet with Ms. Weatherill.