Thank you, Madam Chair.
I certainly have difficulties with this. We have studied this for a significant number of sessions. The minister actually referenced it when she came to do the estimates. Certainly, we have her comments on this particular issue. I can read them into the record, if we'd like to do that:
As the member is well aware, a study was commissioned by the Gates Foundation that concluded there was sufficient current vaccine capacity in North America and Europe and there was no longer a need for a facility in Canada. That study itself is one piece of the work that we're undertaking. The Government of Canada remains committed to fighting HIV and AIDS, and we will be moving forward with the Gates Foundation to identify areas we'll work together on.
It's also about ensuring that we are spending Canadian taxpayers' money in the right areas. If there is no need for a facility in Canada, then we have to make decisions to ensure we are spending Canadian taxpayers' money wisely. At the same time it's a joint partnership with Gates Foundation, and we'll continue to collaborate with the organization in terms of next steps and how we can use the investments made by the Gates Foundation and the Government of Canada to address HIV in Canada.
That was on March 16.
We have studied and have had numerous sessions. We've had Dr. Butler-Jones. We've had witnesses. We have a very busy agenda for the rest of the year. Therefore, I think it's not appropriate to use our time to continue in this vein.