Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Messrs. Malkoske, McInnes and O'Brien, I can't say, as a member of Parliament and a citizen, that your testimony has reassured me on the management of the crisis, from an organizational standpoint or from that of the communication between the authorities concerned and the medical community. What we've heard today is quite appalling. Very few forecasts and communication plans are being prepared, despite the fact that we're this dependent on reactors.
My question is for MDS Nordion's managers.
A lot of questions are being asked in the media about the MAPLE reactor. It's said that there will be major problems in the future. Some even say it will never see the light of day. The fact is that the Chalk River reactor is 52 years old. Even if upgrades are done, it's still old and we'll have to replace it. However, in view of what's available, its replacement is far from certain.
Our dependence on that reactor is now more than confirmed. What will happen if the reactor breaks down for an extended period of time and the MAPLE reactor isn't ready? Would you be able to offset the shortage as efficiently as in the last crisis? This is quite disturbing for Quebeckers and Canadians.