Opposition MPs push for documents on Winnipeg lab transfer and fired scientists
The Liberal government faced more questions Tuesday over the firing of two scientists from the National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg.
Opposition MPs have been calling on the Public Health Agency of Canada to turn over all unredacted documents related to a lab transfer more than two years ago to Wuhan, China, and the departure of the employees.
“When will this government show some respect for Parliament and follow the order of this House to produce the documents related to the breaches at its Winnipeg lab,” said Michael Chong, a Conservative MP from Ontario during question period.
But the government has argued national security is at stake.
“It’s a shame that Conservatives are more focused on innuendo and conspiracy theories than doing the job of parliamentarians in this House and protecting the national security of all Canadians,” said Jennifer O’Connell, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health.
The debate Tuesday came one day after a rare procedural move in which Iain Stewart, the head of the Public Health Agency of Canada, was publicly admonished in the House. Stewart was reprimanded for refusing to hand over unredacted documents on the issue to the Special Committee on Canada-China Relations.
“As stated already the documents have been provided to two separate committees,” O’Connell said.
But one set of documents had redactions, while the unredacted version went to the National Security and Intelligence Committee made up of parliamentarians with top security clearance.
The head of the Public Health Agency has previously said Ebola and Henipah viruses were transferred in March 2019 to the Wuhan Institute of Virology in China from the National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg. The redacted documents show there were concerns over a lack of a Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) between the two labs but officials have since said that procedures were followed.
It’s a transfer that was coordinated by celebrated Ebola researcher Xiangguo Qiu. She and her biologist husband were escorted out of the lab in July 2019 and fired this past January after an administrative review.
Christian Leuprecht, a security expert and professor at the Royal Military College of Canada and Queen’s University, said there may be more to the issue than concerns over a lab transfer agreement.
“I think the committee here is making a case that there is a strong public interest dimension as to what is transpiring here,” said Leuprecht. “The slip-up on a transfer agreement in and of itself may possibly have serious repercussions for them as civil servants but would not trigger a national security investigation and a subsequent criminal investigation.”
The head Public Health Agency has said the transfer of the viruses is not connected to the departure of the two employees and that there is no link to the SARS CoV-2 virus.
The RCMP is investigating possible policy breaches but had no immediate update Tuesday on the status of the investigation.
Stewart has told the House of Commons he’s obligated to abide by legal and privacy restrictions.
The Public Health Agency said on Tuesday it has no additional comment on the issue.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.