accountability

• Emergency Wiretaps
• Listeriosis Probe Whitewash
• Editor,Publisher Out, Harper Stays.
• Where’s the Money Gone?
• Taking Credit
• Funding Watchdog Agencies
• Online Auction by Government
• Globalive and Canadian Ownership
• Here’s An Idea

The released result of the investigation into the Listeriosis Outbreak from Maple Leaf Foods has been released, and naturally there is no condemnation or even suggestion, that the Harper move to Industry Self Regulation is at fault, or really, has anything to do with the outbreak.  Like what did we expect, the truth?

The report doesn’t make findings of criminal or civil liability, but it says the federal government should review the training of its inspectors and look at inspection resources. ( CBC News )

Truth of the matter is that yes, new equipment that is easier to clean is a big plus, but let’s face it, that’s also a huge expense, that won’t be implemented anytime soon. After all, we are in a recession, and there is only so much bailout money available for the corporate sponsors of the Harper Government. And it ducks the issue. Even if a piece of machinery is difficult to clean, properly trained employees would allow for those machines to be fully sanitized. 

Placing the blame on the equipment is just passing the buck, and ducking one’s own responsibility. A typical Harper solution.

Then too, the requirement for more inspections and inspectors, is good news, but they must have the authority to SHUT A PLACE DOWN. As it stands now, the inspectors are denied any authority, and let’s be honest, when our joking agriculture minister tells us that ‘best before dates’ are only advisories, do we truly expect him to give real power to the inspectors?

Bottom line is that the Government needs to stop pushing the responsibility onto the Private Sector. It is CIFA who should be conducting routine & regular testing IN EVERY SINGLE FOOD PROCESSING LOCATION, NOT RELY ON INDUSTRY STOOGES TO DO IT.