"We don't swab for listeria any more. The industry does all that themselves," he said. "They just document all this stuff. We read their reports. If their reports say they do everything fine, then they do everything fine." - CFIA inspector Bob Kingston
No wonder Health Minister Tony Clement wants to stay in Denver, the bungling that facilitated the Listeria outbreak has the potential to bring down a couple of ministers. Apparently the government, through the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, has already begun to let the food industry police itself.
Last week a leaked cabinet document outlined a plan to give the industry conduct its own food testing. The person blamed for the leak was fired. I know so much for the much taunted whistle blower legislation that these hypocritical Conservatives demanded.
The union that represents federal inspectors says some of the key parts of the plan have already been introduced. Apparently the Maple Leaf plant behind the listeria outbreak was working under the new rules which meant less testing and less autonomy. Under the old system, inspectors had a more hands-on role on the plant floor, did more of the tests themselves and had more freedom to investigate. The inspector responsible for the Maple Leaf plant in Toronto also had to supervise up to half a dozen other facilities.
Prime Minister Harper says his government has put new money into food inspections and is overhauling the way food is inspected. It would appear that the leaked memo was the direction government had already headed despite the concerns of academics and health experts. Also, the Prime Minister claim that "As you know, in the recent budget, we put considerably more inspectors and resources into this." is bogus. The 2008 budget indicated the CFIA was asked to find savings to pay for new programs. The leaked document indicated savings would be found by transferring some meat-inspection duties to industry. Can you trust these guys to ensure your food is safe? Or are they just helping their corporate friends cut red tape. I guess you really do get the government you pay for!
Speaking of red tape. This police yourself role was adopted despite concerns from other jurisdictions. 15 people died from a listeria outbreak in hot dogs in the United States in 1998. The American's responded by introducing new rules including pasteurization which has been fought by processors in this country.
Getting back to Clement. A number of those Harris tories are now working in senior roles in the Harper Government. All those skills earned from Walkerton must wear like a badge of twisted honor these days. Dead Canadians on his watch and refuses to come home. Who else is around. Lets see, Kory Teneycke is Harper's director of communications. He was a senior policy adviser for Harris. Guy Giorno, Harper's new Chief of Staff is another former Harris advisor who has been credited with firing staff in an effort to gear up the PMO for the next federal election. A neo-con recipe for disaster. The objective has been to replace "bureaucratic" aides with more overtly political staff. I guess the scientist who leaked the food safety plan was not overtly political. I wonder what spin Patrick Muttart will come up with to make lemonade out of these lemons. Whats the message for the soccer moms and Tim Hortons crowd. Can't blame this on the Liberals!
Considering the firing of the inspector who leaked the plan, the unheralded warnings and now the deaths of at least 13 people a judicial inquiry should be called right away.
Call the election Steve! Come on!
PS. I wonder if Ian Brodie is with Clements?
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