Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I'm curious about a recent news story that said it's very likely that the WHO won't approve Medicago's COVID vaccine due to ties to the tobacco industry. As you're probably aware, the Government of Canada invested $173 million of taxpayers' dollars into Medicago for the production of the Covifenz vaccine. When they applied to the WHO for approval, the WHO did its due diligence and found out that Philip Morris, the tobacco company, owns a roughly 20% stake in Medicago, and they have a strict policy of not partnering with tobacco companies.
I'm wondering whether or not you're aware of the situation and what due diligence was done before the government parted with $173 million for a vaccine company whose vaccines can't be used outside of our borders.