Subcommittee on Food Safety committee  I would have to answer that question by saying yes, the inspector has to be impartial. He cannot go in favour of the establishments and he cannot go in favour of the politicians. He must make a fair judgment, an honest judgment. He's there, as I mentioned before, to protect the safety of the consumer.

Subcommittee on Food Safety committee  That is a very difficult question to ask. It's like saying that you shouldn't bite the hand that feeds you. I've not been put in that position ever. I would say.... Actually, I have to think about that.

Subcommittee on Food Safety committee  I wouldn't want to be in the position to try it, though. Let's put it that way.

Subcommittee on Food Safety committee  Do you want to answer that?

Subcommittee on Food Safety committee  To be honest with you, no. What's important for the front-line inspector is to get his job done. There are people relying on his or her decisions. Politics really doesn't come into it. If the inspector is doing his job correctly and reporting up the channels as he's supposed to, it should never influence his decision whatsoever.

Subcommittee on Food Safety committee  I'll have to go back and check on that. I really can't remember at this point.

Subcommittee on Food Safety committee  Correct.

Subcommittee on Food Safety committee  I received an e-mail saying to attend a meeting at our regional office. At that meeting, it was explained to me, along with my colleagues Jenifer Fowler and Don Irons, that we'd been invited to attend as witnesses.

Subcommittee on Food Safety committee  It came from the CFIA.

Subcommittee on Food Safety committee  Sure.

Subcommittee on Food Safety committee  Approximately 20 years.

Subcommittee on Food Safety committee  I'll have to clarify something first. I had split service with Agriculture Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. The first time I was on was from 1981 to 1987. At that time I was operating in the slaughterhouse environment, and it was a lot different from what I am doing now.

Subcommittee on Food Safety committee  I can speak on my behalf. I was invited to show up. I didn't ask to come. I was told that if I would like to show up they would appreciate my showing up.

Subcommittee on Food Safety committee  No, she did not. If you are referring to my boss, meaning Mr. Irons or above him, no, he did not ask me to come and testify.

Subcommittee on Food Safety committee  To answer that question, yes, they did tell me there would be nothing wrong with testifying and telling the truth. I was not intimidated in any way.