Proposed parliamentary investigation of handling of the COVID-19 can put federal contracts for PPE, vaccines and rapid test kits in jeopardy: Anita Anand

Federal Procurement Minister Anita Anand says a proposed parliamentary investigation of the Trudeau government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic could trigger the release of commercially sensitive information.

She says that could risk the health of Canadians by scaring off manufacturers and drug companies that would otherwise do business with Ottawa.

Opposition parties are poised to approve the probe this afternoon despite growing objections from industry and experts.

Canada's procurement minister says a Conservative motion to probe the government's pandemic spending will put federal contracts for personal protective equipment, vaccines and rapid test kits in jeopardy.

Anita Anand warns that the House of Commons law clerk does not have the expertise in procurement to properly redact records that would surface through the probe.

A Conservative motion would order the government to turn over to the Commons health committee all records on a raft of issues related to the government's handling of the pandemic.

Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer Canada is the latest to express concerns, asking to know how its commercial secrets will be protected.