Foreign Affairs Committee on June 5th, 2024

[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?

[Carolyn Bennett]

No.

[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?

[Carolyn Bennett]

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.

[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?

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

Mr. Genuis, if you could establish—

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

I think it speaks to credibility.

[Carolyn Bennett]

Yes, I think that's already—

[Hedy Fry, Liberal, Vancouver Centre, BC]

I have a point of order, Chair.

What is the relevance, please?

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

Yes, Dr. Fry.

[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.

[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.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

We'll allow the ambassador to respond.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Thank you, Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

You have 35 seconds.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Thank you.

[Carolyn Bennett]

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—

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Why did you take those four meetings?

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

Mr. Genuis, she's still responding.

[Sameer Zuberi, Liberal, Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC]

On a point of order, Mr. Chair, the member said he'd give the balance of time—

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

I know.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

I'm just repeating the question because maybe it wasn't heard or understood.

[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.

[Carolyn Bennett]

I actually don't think the question's relevant to my job.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

I completely understand.