Like my different opposition party colleagues, Madam Auditor General has used some disturbing terms in her report. It contains references to plant and plant products. The Auditor General refers to serious problems—those are her words—in terms of controlling species, harmful organisms and diseases that threaten ecosystems in Quebec and Canada. The situation is very serious. She also points in her report to a lack of resources, a situation that threatens the livelihood of Canada's forestry workers and farmers. She notes that the Agency did not conduct analyses, even in the case of high risk plants and plant products. This situation has existed since 1996. This is cause for concern, because we're talking about the health of Canadians. I would simply like some confirmation that the government is in fact not particularly interested in this Agency, and that as a result, the health of Canadians is greatly at risk, judging from what you have said.
On February 10th, 2009. See this statement in context.