Thank you, Mr. Chair. Good morning and thanks to the witnesses for being here.
Ms. Ballantyne, after your presentation, three questions occur to me. I am going to ask you those three questions and anyone who wants to can reply.
You mentioned a policy on listeria monocytogenes. We are well aware that there are a number of bacteria and we really do not know which one will cause the next outbreak. Does this policy just apply to listeria monocytogenes? Can we move away from listeria monocytogenes and apply it to various kinds of bacteria that might cause a similar problem to the one that occurred in 2008?
You also said that, using the process that you are putting in place, we will be able to find replacement oils that can reduce the amount of trans fat, which we know to be harmful. That is what you are saying. My question is simply this: with the work you are doing and the process that you are currently putting into place, will we really find a definitive solution to the problem of trans fat in food?
Now for my third question. You say that Health Canada is also working to improve its operational methods to support Canadian Food Inspection Agency investigations. We know that, in report after report, the Auditor General has pointed to ongoing problems with information management and internal communications in that agency. Given those problems raised by the Auditor General, I just wonder how you have been able to establish links to ensure that communication between Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency is really effective.