Science and Research Committee on June 8th, 2026

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

Yes.

[Mona Nemer]

I don't weigh in on those things.

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

I understand that.

[Vincent Ho, Conservative, Richmond Hill South, ON]

What do you weigh in on, then?

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

The time is up for MP Ho.

We will now proceed to MP Noormohamed.

Go ahead, MP Noormohamed.

[Taleeb Noormohamed, Liberal, Vancouver Granville, BC]

Thank you so much.

Thank you for being here, Dr. Nemer. It's a pleasure to see you again. I'm sorry that you have to endure some of the absurdities of this committee, but it's good to have you again.

[Vincent Ho, Conservative, Richmond Hill South, ON]

I have a point of order.

[Taleeb Noormohamed, Liberal, Vancouver Granville, BC]

It's my time.

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

Go ahead, MP Ho.

[Vincent Ho, Conservative, Richmond Hill South, ON]

I don't think that personal attacks.... You said you don't like any personal attacks.

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

This is debate.

MP Noormohamed, you have the floor. Please, go ahead.

[Taleeb Noormohamed, Liberal, Vancouver Granville, BC]

Thank you.

While I didn't reference anyone in particular, if the shoe fits, as they say....

I'd like to begin by asking you a few questions quickly, sort of rapid-fire.

There was this conversation about demographic targets. In your experience, in your current or past roles, have you ever heard of somebody hired as a scientist who did a lesser job because they were a person of colour or a woman?

[Mona Nemer]

There is absolutely no evidence, whether it's based on gender or race, that some individuals are not doing as well. Everybody is hired according to merit first.

[Taleeb Noormohamed, Liberal, Vancouver Granville, BC]

We put $1.7 billion to recruit 1,000 of the top researchers in the world to come to Canada. Is it your view that the criteria currently in place will allow Canada to attract the best and the brightest in the world, regardless of issues...as they seem to be put across?

[Vincent Ho, Conservative, Richmond Hill South, ON]

I have a point of order, Madam Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

Go ahead, MP Ho.

[Vincent Ho, Conservative, Richmond Hill South, ON]

That question is out of order. It's about her mandate, not policy. You're asking her a question about policy set by the government.

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

This is a debate.

[Taleeb Noormohamed, Liberal, Vancouver Granville, BC]

I would like my time back.

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

I would request all the members to be respectful of each other's time, and make sure that the person who has the floor can continue.

MP Noormohamed, go ahead.

[Taleeb Noormohamed, Liberal, Vancouver Granville, BC]

The question was this. We put $1.7 billion on the table to hire the top researchers. Do you see any issues with the criteria that are currently in place to help us attract the best and the brightest scientists in the world?

[Mona Nemer]

The program and the criteria are explicit. We want to attract the best and brightest people. Judging from my conversations with the universities, we seem to be succeeding very well. I'm eager for all of us to get those results. It's going to be transformative for the country.

[Taleeb Noormohamed, Liberal, Vancouver Granville, BC]

You and I both, and certainly those of us who believe in science, also feel that way.

You will recall the 2013 muzzling of scientists under the Harper government.

How long did it take scientists and government to recover from that?

[Vincent Ho, Conservative, Richmond Hill South, ON]

I have a point of order.

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

MP Ho has a point of order.