Evidence of meeting #112 for Foreign Affairs and International Development in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was irgc.
A recording is available from Parliament.
5:30 p.m.
Conservative
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Thank you, Chair. I'll restart the clock.
Have you had any interactions with Fair Price Pharma since becoming ambassador?
5:30 p.m.
Ambassador of Canada to the Kingdom of Denmark, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development
No.
5:30 p.m.
Conservative
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Have you been in any meetings, on any calls, cc'd on any correspondence with Fair Price Pharma since you left your position as minister?
5:30 p.m.
Ambassador of Canada to the Kingdom of Denmark, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development
Not that I'm aware of. I know that Dr. Kendall and I go back a long time, from the time that I was the minister of public health. He has been a leader in setting up the public health network, and I very much respect the work that he's done. I think Dr. Fry really knows a lot, probably more than I do, about the work they have been doing, but I don't think it's relevant to my job now.
5:30 p.m.
Conservative
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Well, I appreciate that you have high regard for him. He is someone who has transitioned from the public health world fairly quickly into a company that sells heroin.
Why did you meet four times in two years with him, as minister?
5:30 p.m.
Conservative
5:30 p.m.
Ambassador of Canada to the Kingdom of Denmark, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development
Yes, I think that's already—
5:30 p.m.
Liberal
Hedy Fry Liberal Vancouver Centre, BC
I have a point of order, Chair.
What is the relevance, please?
5:30 p.m.
Conservative
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
On that point, I think it does speak to credibility. I think these are questions that the ambassador may be asked, and she may be asked internationally. She's had those four meetings. I would just, out of respect for the ambassador, give her the balance of my time to answer the question.
That's my last question. Why did she meet four times with them in two years?
If the committee will allow, I'll give her the balance of my time to simply explain what was discussed in those four meetings that she attended in person with this company. I hope members will provide the ambassador with that courtesy.
June 5th, 2024 / 5:30 p.m.
Liberal
Sameer Zuberi Liberal Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC
On a point of order, Mr. Chair, it wasn't established how this is rationally connected to the study.
5:30 p.m.
Conservative
5:30 p.m.
Ambassador of Canada to the Kingdom of Denmark, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development
I actually don't think it's relevant to my job now, although, I think the drug monitoring part of...coming out of Lisbon, in terms of the future of whether it's fentanyl precursors, there are many things that international countries are looking to help with, but I really don't think meeting with that company has—
5:30 p.m.
Conservative
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Why did you take those four meetings?
5:30 p.m.
Liberal
Sameer Zuberi Liberal Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC
On a point of order, Mr. Chair, the member said he'd give the balance of time—
5:30 p.m.
Conservative
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
I'm just repeating the question because maybe it wasn't heard or understood.
5:30 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ali Ehsassi
Mr. Genuis, perhaps you could allow her to respond, as you initially indicated.
There are another 10 seconds, Madam Ambassador.
5:30 p.m.
Ambassador of Canada to the Kingdom of Denmark, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development
I actually don't think the question's relevant to my job.