Why were 2 scientists fired from Winnipeg lab? MPs to examine documents
Global News
The case dates back to 2019 when two staff members were escorted out of the National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg over 'possible breaches in security protocols.'
A panel of members of Parliament and judges are going to review documents related to the firing of two scientists at Canada’s highest-security laboratory.
On Wednesday, House of Commons leader Mark Holland revealed the names of MPs and judges who will serve as arbiters on an ad hoc committee tasked to examine both redacted and unredacted documents pertaining to the National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg.
The case dates back to 2019, when scientists Xiangguo Qiu and her husband, Keding Cheng, were escorted out of the Winnipeg lab for reasons public health officials described as “relating to possible breaches in security protocols.”
The couple were subsequently fired in January 2021.
The ad hoc committee, proposed by the federal government, will allow MPs to have, in a secure setting, full access to related redacted and unredacted documents, Holland’s office said.
They will review briefings from officials on why some information was not disclosed. They will also look at documents from the Public Health Agency of Canada regarding the transfer of viruses and the firing of the two scientists.
“Canadians deserve to see MPs working in collaboration on important issues that require a responsible approach to transparency and accountability,” Holland said in a statement.
The committee members from all four recognized parties are Iqra Khalid (Liberal), John Williamson (Conservative), René Villemure (Bloc Québécois) and Heather McPherson (NDP).
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