Health Committee on April 30th, 2026

[The Chair, Liberal, Sukh Dhaliwal]

Go ahead on your point of order.

[Doug Eyolfson, Liberal, Winnipeg West, MB]

This is not on the agenda for today. This is a new motion, which requires 48 hours’ notice. Therefore, for it to be made today is out of order.

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Riding Mountain, MB]

It's not your decision, Doug. It's the chair's decision.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sukh Dhaliwal]

That's okay. As the chair, I feel that—

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Riding Mountain, MB]

I challenge the chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sukh Dhaliwal]

The chair is challenged.

I would ask the clerk to take the vote.

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Riding Mountain, MB]

Let me get this straight, just so that we understand what we're challenging the chair on and why. He doesn't think, and the Liberals obviously don't think, we should bring back Michael Green, just because he happened to resign—

[The Chair, Liberal, Sukh Dhaliwal]

There's no debate right now. There's a vote.

The chair's decision has been challenged. I would ask the clerk to take the vote, please.

(Ruling of the chair sustained: yeas 6; nays 5)

[The Chair, Liberal, Sukh Dhaliwal]

I will now proceed to the witness.

Dr. Kochhar, you have five minutes for your opening remarks.

[Harpreet S. Kochhar, President, Canadian Food Inspection Agency]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I'm pleased to be here today to speak about CFIA's mandate and how the agency is evolving to meet today's challenges.

Established in 1997, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, or CFIA, is a science-based regulatory agency dedicated to the health and well-being of Canadians, the protection of our environment and the vitality of the Canadian economy.

Until 2013, the agency reported to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. Subsequently, it also began reporting to the Minister of Health as a key component of the health portfolio. Working closely with both ministers, the agency provides advice based on sound scientific evidence in its area of responsibility.

Each and every day, CFIA employees work hard to help businesses understand and verify their compliance with Canada's federal regulations related to food safety, plant health and animal health. This in turn allows us to open export markets for our high-quality Canadian products. Our inspectors, veterinarians and scientists across the country inspect food for safety risks, protect plants from pests and respond to animal diseases that could threaten Canada's animal and human health.

As a result, Canadian food products continue to meet the highest safety standards, which has earned the country an excellent international reputation.

CFIA also plays a vital role in advancing Canada's interprovincial and international trade agenda. Other countries open their doors to Canadian food products because they trust our system. They trust that we are doing our regulatory role well and that our products are world-class.

While the CFIA's role is as a regulator, it is industries like food businesses as well as importers and farmers who are responsible under federal law for producing safe, accurately labelled food. The CFIA enforces the requirements that industries must follow, but it also provides clear guidance to help them understand and comply with the rules. The agency takes decisive enforcement actions such as recalls, monetary penalties and licence cancellations when businesses or individuals do not comply with the federal rules put in place to protect Canadian plant health and animal welfare.

The work performed by CFIA builds trust in Canada's food system. According to this year's public opinion research, 88% of consumers are confident that food sold in Canada is safe.

CFIA is continually strengthening its preventative approach to plant and animal health and food safety. This involves constant monitoring, interventions, and emergency preparedness and response—such as with the highly pathogenic avian influenza—when there are threats to Canada's food supply.

It is also important to understand that food will never be risk-free. It can become contaminated during growing, harvesting, processing, shipping, storing or handling.

Risk-based decision-making is central to the CFIA's daily activities. This means it is an ongoing process aimed at identifying emerging and evolving issues that could pose a threat to food safety, plant health and animal health, which may in turn impact market access.

The agency is also committed to a one health approach of balancing the health of people, animals and the ecosystem. This is important for addressing global issues such as antimicrobial resistance. At the same time, CFIA also plays an important role in shaping international standards to maintain existing markets and to create new access.

CFIA is also committed to modernizing its initiative and transforming how it delivers on its mandate by removing unnecessary red tape for Canadian businesses and focusing on outcomes. The agency has now started to move towards a new business line model, which is focused on food safety, animal health and plant health. It is supported by the policy, trade and business enablement branch. This change will align our organization more closely with the risks we face and the expectations of Canadians.

Going forward, we are focused on making regulations straightforward and practical to meet the real-world needs of Canadians and the agriculture and agri-food sector. We will continue delivering clear guidance to businesses and strong regulatory oversight. This means that we will aim to make it easier for businesses to navigate the system while maintaining the standards Canadians expect.

Thank you for the opportunity, Mr. Chair. I'm happy to take any questions now.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sukh Dhaliwal]

Thank you, Dr. Kochhar. You took five minutes and 15 seconds. That's good timing.

We will start with honourable member Mr. Bailey.

Mr. Bailey, you have six minutes, please.

[Burton Bailey, Conservative, Red Deer, AB]

Thank you, Chair.

Dr. Kochhar, you're here today through an accountability mechanism that provides parliamentarians the right to scrutinize and question government appointees to ensure Canadians have the most qualified people in these positions and are receiving value for their tax dollars through public salaries. Do you think this is an important part of our democratic process, yes or no?

[Harpreet S. Kochhar]

It is an important part.

[Burton Bailey, Conservative, Red Deer, AB]

You would agree with me that parliamentary scrutiny and holding the government to account are an important function of our system. Would you not agree that shutting the doors and turning off the cameras during committee meetings meant to hold the government accountable directly contradict their promise of an open and transparent government and raise the clear suspicion that there's something to hide or, worse, a cover-up?

[Doug Eyolfson, Liberal, Winnipeg West, MB]

On a point of order, Chair, this line of questioning is clearly outside the subject matter of today's meeting.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sukh Dhaliwal]

Some of the questions that we are putting to the—

[Burton Bailey, Conservative, Red Deer, AB]

Did we stop the clock, Chair?

[The Chair, Liberal, Sukh Dhaliwal]

Yes, we did.

[Burton Bailey, Conservative, Red Deer, AB]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sukh Dhaliwal]

I'm perfect at that.

Basically, this is not the topic, Mr. Bailey, because the officials are not here to play politics. If you can just focus on the subject at hand, I would really appreciate it. I want this committee to go very cordially. I don't stop people. I gave all the time to any member who wanted it on the other issue, and I do this on every issue, but please stay on topic.

If there's no other point of order, I'll cede to—

[Helena Konanz, Conservative, Similkameen—South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC]

I have a point of order.

I believe, after what happened in our last meeting, that Mr. Bailey might be worried that he might be silenced in the middle of the procedure here if there's something that the Liberal members don't want the public to hear.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sukh Dhaliwal]

No, that will not be the case. He will get his time. He will be able to focus on the subject that we are studying today, and he will have every right to ask the witness questions related to the study.

With that, I will go back to Mr. Bailey.

Please go ahead.

[Burton Bailey, Conservative, Red Deer, AB]

Thank you, Chair.

The Liberal government claims it wants to build Canada and protect our sovereignty, yet their actions show the complete opposite. When it comes to agriculture and protecting our food security, the Liberals are running backwards.

I'm sure you're well aware of agriculture research centre closures across Canada, including the one in Lacombe, close to my riding. If you were approached today by the agriculture minister for advice about closing the research and development centres, what would your position be?

[Harpreet S. Kochhar]

Agriculture research centres are under the purview of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and I don't have any mandate in terms of advising the minister on that.

[Burton Bailey, Conservative, Red Deer, AB]

I guess I'm asking what long-term risk to Canadian food sovereignty and regulatory independence is caused by the Liberal government's decision to gut domestic research capacity.