Mr. Speaker, first, the Prime Minister of Canada was not involved in awarding these two contracts. They were awarded by Industry Canada.
Second, Industry Canada followed the Treasury Board policy that for contracts under $25,000 a competitive process is not required.
Third, this is a firm with expertise, that has been working since 1998 within a research group for the Canadian Biotechnology Secretariat.I think that covers all the reasons that justify the awarding of these contracts.