From the very first CFIA warning on September 16 …. it was clear that this was a NATIONAL and INTERNATIONAL problem
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/corpaffr/recarapp/2012/20120916e.shtml
in the DISTRIBUTION column….. many products distributed to provinces other than Alberta and Nationally….
so where has the Public Health Agency of Canada been ? where is the trusted voice of public health … that was prescribed after SARS by the Naylor report … and missing in action during Listeriosis ….. in the latter case, Michael McCain courageously filled the gap…. providing the leadership … and crisis communication….
with this crisis …. NOTHING … no communications from Public Heath Agency .. no trusted person giving wise advice
Food safety in Canada has always meant that it is an agriculture lead …..before the pathogen has reached the food chain…eg BSE
once the pathogen has entered the food chain it is a public health problem… and we need to hear from public health officials….. it is the reason we put in place the Chief Public Health Officer for Canada… as a lesson learned from SARS…. the ourbreak although largely in Toronto….. resulted in Chinese restaurants in Montreal being empty…..
RISK COMMUNICATION is a science….. is important…. the federal government has failed Canadians, the ranchers, producers, processors as well as consumers….
The debate tonight is important …
Click here for a transcript of the debate
Here are some links to useful background information
Listeria: the autonomy of the Public Health Agency of Canada
Public Health Agency of Canada Act
Lessons Learned: Public Health Agency of Canada’s Response to the 2008 Listeriosis Outbreak
Report of the Independent Investigator into the 2008 Listeriosis Outbreak
BEYOND THE LISTERIOSIS CRISIS: STRENGTHENING THE FOOD SAFETY SYSTEM
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