Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. On September 28 I put a question on the Order Paper to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans concerning the possible conflict of interest of members appointed to the Fraser River Sockeye Review Board. The board has started public hearings and I have yet to receive a reply.
The chair of the review board is a public servant who serves at the sufferance of the government. At least two board members have proposals before government departments. One board member is actively promoting his proposal in the hearings. At least two board members sit on various department of fisheries advisory boards.
It is vital for the minister to respond to this question on the independence of his inquiry. My question deserves an immediate answer.