Skip navigation

 Login or Register | Member Centre

Harper vows to launch tainted-meat inquiry

STEVEN CHASE and KAREN HOWLETT AND GREG KEENAN

From Thursday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 10:16 PM EST 03/09/08

PM's description of himself as a concerned father who buys luncheon meat for his family is exactly the picture the Conservatives want to paint in an election campaign expected to begin Sunday ...Read the full article

This conversation is closed

  1. Nathan Cool from Vancouver, Canada writes: So concerned, he cut meat plant inspections and allowed for the outbreak to occur.

    What a responsible and caring man.
  2. siren call from Canada writes: I know conservatives are traditionally in favour of deregulation.

    But there are some industries that should never be allowed to police themselves and the food industry is a prime example of this.
  3. Joe Citizen from Everytown, Canada writes: This is a little bit of the old cheschire cat ..... isn't ?

    With a mouth full of bird he asks about the bird's welfare.

    This tainted meat stragedy is to Canada what Walkerton (poisoned water)
    was to Ontario. An outrageous compromise of public safety. An act of political and managerial neglect by those who have been entrusted (not to mentiomed well paid) to protect public interest.

    Please do not forget this national disaster come October 14th.
  4. Bob McDonald from Canada writes: Harper wants to be seen as a concerned dad who buys sliced ham for his family and drives a minivan while he wants us to see Dion as an elitist professor who has difficulty relating.

    Campaign instructions straight from the Republican play book.

    In the opinion of this concerned dad driving a minivan, I personally prefer to have a PM who is a lot smarter than me. Harper just comes across as a lot sneakier than me.
  5. ente EighteenEightyEight from Canada writes: Except that he's the PM and an economist and doesn't buy luncheon meat for his kids because he's not the guy next door.
  6. garlick toast from Canada writes: They're tracking down the original source.In a month it will be revealed as having originated during a visit by Stephane Dion to a meat packing plant.
  7. Daniel Cunningham from Victoria, writes: What a complete crock of sh$t. His government is responsible for the regulatory changes which made an outbreak like this possible in the first place. How can you tell Harper is lying? His lips move.
  8. Ann Ig Norant from I want global warming and grow bananas in my backyard, Canada writes: Harper buying sliced meat for his kids. LOL, maybe as a photo op.
  9. Some guy somewhere from Toronto, Canada writes: He should have said this a week or two ago. Why now? Couldn't be a crass ploy to garner votes, could it?
  10. J Law from Canada writes: If this happened in an Ontario meat plant then where was the Ontario Health Department. I still have not heard a word from any of those people. I bet th eLiberals have many excuses why this should not have anything to do with the Ontario health department. And could any of you Liberals please explain to me and the rest of Canada when this so called regulation that allowed meat companies to regulate themselves get out of the committee it was stuck in?
  11. M. Owens from calgary, Canada writes: It's utterly pathetic when someone tries to cast blame for a tragic incident like this on someone else, with absolutely no back up or proof, for strictly polictical purposes.
  12. Free The West Free The West from Free the West, Canada writes: Yup, all you Lefties think that Harper should take personal responsibilty for a problem in a private meat plant, but also think that Paul Martin/Dion shouldn't be responsible for untold millions being stolen right out of their own government department, and by their own party!
    And congrats to the G&M headline writer that outdid himself in twisting Harper's concern for food safety into some sort of election ploy, without any quotes or sources in doing so.
  13. siren call from Canada writes: Yeah, a mini van driving dad who picks up his kids at school.

    Oops, scrap that; an ego maniacal PM who is driven around in a fleet of thumping great black SUVs with tinted windows and shadowed by security dudes in shades.
  14. Grassroots are the wave of the future from Canada writes: Where is his prove that he buys these products? Does he have a bank statement and an actual receipt, that co-incides with the entry on the bank statement, to back up his claim? No, proof then they are only words. Words are meaningless .
  15. Daniel Cunningham from Victoria, writes: Free The West Free The West from Free the West, Canada writes: Yup, all you Lefties think that Harper should take personal responsibilty for a problem in a private meat plant, but also think that Paul Martin/Dion shouldn't be responsible for untold millions being stolen right out of their own government department, and by their own party!
    And congrats to the G&M headline writer that outdid himself in twisting Harper's concern for food safety into some sort of election ploy, without any quotes or sources in doing so.

    What part of you are a stunned idiot do you not understand? The Theo-Con Borgies turn on the deregulation machine, people get sick & die, and you complete yammering nutballs are still yacking about old history? And you think you are going to get a majority?
  16. siren call from Canada writes: The person quoted in the article is one, Stephen Harper:

    'Mr. Harper made a special point of announcing the planned listeriosis probe Wednesday at the end of a pre-election stop in Windsor, Ont., where he pledged $80-million to help Ford Motor Co. of Canada restart an idling engine-assembly plant. He raised the matter himself after receiving no questions on the outbreak.'

    So, I see how you could be hesitant to accept his word.
  17. garry heaps from Canada writes: i have a mental picture of little steve'r slipping into the local no frills.....
    wearing a sweater vest purchasing a few cold cuts for his children's-nudge nudge wink wink- lunch. u really expect me to believe that little steve'r makes his kids lunch each day. LOL praise the lord.
    is this guy for real? what about the ten commandments... the lying section.
  18. rick from river city from Canada writes: In a liberal world all the meat is perfect all the time. If something happens they turn to their government for solutions or blame. Since Martin was PM then Walkerton was Harris fault, when Harper is PM then tainted-meat is not Daltons fault. Works every time if you stay in a tight circle.
  19. Ricky for a Centrist Canada from Canada writes:
    Poor Free the West - he wants the headline to read.... 'unlike the Liberals who approve of bacteria-infested plants policing themselves, and are actually sorry more people haven't died.'

    Con.

    Hack.

    Loser.
  20. Daniel K from North Bay, Canada writes: To launch an investigation into the Maple Leaf listeria outbreak would be a waste of taxpayers money. It is far too late to find the source of the contamination. maybe if Harper didn't make so many cuts to inspectors, and push to deregulate the industry this would never have happened in the first place. It just goes to show that our food is not safe.

    I hope he shatters and burns in the election.
  21. Bobby Dy from Canada writes: J Law, this was never in committee. What was in committee was an investigation into the firing of a CFIA (Canadian Food Inspection Agency) scientist for going to his union over his concerns for removing public oversight of food inspections and letting these companies inspect themselves. He learned this from a 'confidential' cabinet document. I say 'confidential' because it was posted on an intranet where any employee could read it. Glad you mentioned it though. It was going to happen without any public or Parliamentary oversight whatsoever. It was a policy change that required no new legislation (and hence, didn't need to go to Parliament).
  22. garlick toast from Canada writes: His dogma ate his karma.
  23. John Francis from Canada writes: I guess Steve could combine the Luncheon Meat inquiry with the Brian Mulroney brown bag affair inquiry. Not only do these two topics seem to go together, such a move would would help defray the costs of the coming $300 million election to elect a minority government.
  24. Bobby Dy from Canada writes: Free the West, there is no way in this world that this is not an election ploy. The 'inquiry', if it was motivated by a sense of responsibility, would have been announced a few weeks ago and the government would have spent its time doing that instead of trying to railroad a responsible scientist who had genuine public concern.
  25. Stephen Harper's Ignorant Tories from Canada writes: Just like Mike Harris and Walkerton, he'll claim the inquiry absolves him even when it doesn't. He is repeating a huge number of Mike Harris blunders, but on a national scale.
  26. rick from river city from Canada writes: siren call from Canada writes: Yeah, a mini van driving dad who picks up his kids at school. Oops, scrap that; an ego maniacal PM who is driven around in a fleet of thumping great black SUVs with tinted windows and shadowed by security dudes in shades.

    with sirens....
  27. Free The West Free The West from Free the West, Canada writes: Everybody should read the comments by Ricky the Centrist and Daniel Cunningham above. Many of the Leftwing of Canada are unbelievably mean-natured, and without anything of substance to bring to discussion.
  28. diane marie from calgary, Canada writes: J Law:-- The reason, J Law, should you require one, is that meat destined for export (and, if memory serves, shipment across provincial borders) falls under the inspection jurisdiction of the CFIA.
  29. Silver Standard (Used to be gold) from Canada writes: Isn't this the guy that wanted to cut regulations on this? SICKO!
  30. ali mansur from etobicoke, Canada writes: Hey, the LIEberals stole nearly $4 million during 'ad-scam'. That's nearly 4% of the $100 million for the whole 'anti-separatist' scheme that bought the Quebec separatists' silence.

    The conservatives only played a 'contributing' role in the deaths of 11 people.

    My choice is clear. 4 more years of conservatives lowering corporate taxes! And ignoring provinces east of Manitoba. They're just whiners. Booah!
  31. white wolf from Canada writes: I think the CEO of mcCains is doing an exellent job himself to resolve this

    we dont need harper trying to gain political points by offering an investigation
  32. rick from river city from Canada writes: Bobby Dy from Canada writes: Free the West, there is no way in this world that this is not an election ploy. The 'inquiry', if it was motivated by a sense of responsibility, would have been announced a few weeks ago and the government would have spent its time doing that instead of trying to railroad a responsible scientist who had genuine public concern.

    In a circumstance like this the government would have acted immediately to investigate. Initial investigations can only take you so far then you report. Following a long weekend would be a natural. At that time the decision to do a full blown inquiry becomes an option. That is being responsible.
  33. Ricky for a Centrist Canada from Canada writes:
    Free The West Free The West from Free the West, Canada writes: Everybody should read the comments by Ricky the Centrist and Daniel Cunningham above. Many of the Leftwing of Canada are unbelievably mean-natured, and without anything of substance to bring to discussion.

    LOL

    Um yeah, okay.

    Pretty rich, coming from you.
  34. Anthony B from Maritimes, Canada writes: 'PM's description of himself as a concerned father who buys luncheon meat for his family'

    I'm having a hard time forming a mental image of Stevie standing in the supermarket checkout line with a basket of sliced ham and bologna. I'm sure, if it were true, the elusive Mr. Harper would have been snared in the parking lot by the press corp.
  35. Daniel Cunningham from Victoria, writes: Free The West Free The West from Free the West, Canada writes: Everybody should read the comments by Ricky the Centrist and Daniel Cunningham above. Many of the Leftwing of Canada are unbelievably mean-natured, and without anything of substance to bring to discussion.

    Aww. Did I make widdums cry? Good. Next stupid Theo-Con Borgie please.
  36. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: 30 minutes into the thread.... 28 comments.

    100 percent partisan and not an intelligent comment among them.

    What a surprise... almost as much of a surprise as Mr. Harper calling for this waste of money inquiry.

    Mr. Harper.... don't bother.

    Here are the results of your million dollar plus inquiry.

    1. The system works.... the recall was successful once the problem was identified.
    2. They couldn't identify the actual source or cause of the infection.... too long.
    3. Other than pasteurization of product there is no way to stop this from ever happening again.

    You can send this Conservative voter the cheque Mr. Harper.

    13 People with weak (already sick) immune systems have died. A couple dozen more were ill. It cost the company involved 20 million plus dollars and I can assure you they will spend a lot more to ensure it doesn't happen again.

    If you want to spend some money to prevent death Mr. Harper.... send it somewhere where it will help solve thousands of deaths.... not dozens.

    Cheers
  37. ali mansur from etobicoke, Canada writes: Ralph Klein is a conservative, Harper is an elitist economist living in his bologne tower.

    Am I hearing him correctly that he wants to institute more regulation?? The Fraser Institute has these things right: the markets will deal with poisonous meat. All customers will eventually die, and then the company will go bankrupt when it can't sell it's meat anymore, which would open up new opportunities for new companies to sell tainted meat. Problem solved.

    Harper should talk with Ralph Klein before the PM starts throwing change around at the wrong government policies. After all, Ralph Klein knows: you throw change at the poor.
  38. Winston Smith from Canada writes: Another attempt by the government to placate angry Canadians just like the RCMP self investigation in the Arar leak. Results will be the same with no one held accountable. They'll just shrug their shoulders and move on.
  39. What's up with the un-human-like gap between Harper's eyes? from Calgary, Canada writes: .

    He's going to investigate Clement?

    Something tells me the result of his PMO 'investigation' will include the recommendation that everything gets privatized.

    Because that worked so well with water and propane, why not food? It's not like protecting the food supply is one of the basic functions of government or anything...
  40. ali mansur from etobicoke, Canada writes: Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: 13 People with weak (already sick) immune systems have died. A couple dozen more were ill. It cost the company involved 20 million plus dollars and I can assure you they will spend a lot more to ensure it doesn't happen again.

    ---------------------------

    I agree! Much like drunk drivers, corporate citizens should be able to learn the hard way. If I want to drive while wasted, I should be able to do that until I seriously injure or kill someone. The same goes for food manufacturers. They'll inspect their own food, even if they have to kill a few people while on the road to success.

    It's not the journey that counts, it's the destination.
  41. Jeff Pritchard from Canada writes: Oh boy - another investigation we can pay $$$ for just so that six months later we can hear that is has been discontinued with nothing interesting to report.

    I'm getting a little tired of those.
  42. SL S from Saskatchewan, Canada writes: I must have missed something. I thought the current government was just suggesting possible deregulation of the inspection criteria? I didn't realize thay had gone ahead and done it while parliament wasn't in session. I could have sworn this incident occured under the Liberal regulations, oh, wait, it did.
  43. B. Goode from Canada writes: I think he is confusingthe luncheon meat he claims to be buying with the baloney he is trying to sell us.
  44. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: ali mansur .... nice paraphrase.

    Have you ever been inside one of these packaging plants? I have.

    This wasn't caused because someone handling product didn't wash their hands after going to the washroom.

    Hair nets. Clean smocks, booties, gloves.... it is more antiseptic than most hospitals I have been in.... even sick kids where I have spent too much time over the last ten years.

    This isn't about the companies policing themselves.... it is about a common bacteria that we all ingest everday.

    The over reaction (now by Harper as well) of the mostly partisan public is pathetic.

    Just proves to me that 99 percent of the world are idiots.

    Cheers
  45. Linda Dial from Calgary, Canada writes: I am so glad the NGC finally decided to do this. Their prompt reaction to the crisis has certainly been noticed. The point is that Mr. Harper didn't want to commit more funds to inspection procedures required by the FDA, the food safety authority in Canada's largest export market for meats. I thought that those packs of ham etc were safe as the houses, though houses are not safe anymore by a long shot. I mean industry can generally police itself but their is nothing like the law looking over its shoulder to make it dance. I am sure that this is Maple Leaf's worst nightmare come true, but it happened, regulation, self-regulation regardless. And every headline now is "Harper does this" " Harper says that", like Canada, C'est Lui! AS Mr. Dithers still prepares (endlessly( to shaft his own law and go no-hat in hand to the GG to demand an election, he has already started the election campaign with a lot of short operas acting like he supports policies he never did before. Suddenly HE is going to help the auto industry after he and the Flim Flam man told them all to stew in their own juices or lack of them a few months ago; when did the listeria crisis break out begin....oh about a month ago now......well before an election JUST HAD TO BE CALLED but has not been called yet! So what is this, part of a head start in the campaign or reacting to a crisis three weeks later? What was he waiting for? The victims to stop dying?
  46. West Virginian Albino Mexican from Canada writes: Daniel Cunningham from Victoria, writes: Free The West Free The West from Free the West, Canada writes: Yup, all you Lefties think that Harper should take personal responsibilty for a problem in a private meat plant, but also think that Paul Martin/Dion shouldn't be responsible for untold millions being stolen right out of their own government department, and by their own party!
    And congrats to the G&M headline writer that outdid himself in twisting Harper's concern for food safety into some sort of election ploy, without any quotes or sources in doing so.

    What part of you are a stunned idiot do you not understand? The Theo-Con Borgies turn on the deregulation machine, people get sick & die, and you complete yammering nutballs are still yacking about old history? And you think you are going to get a majority?

    ==================================================

    What part of stunned idiot do you not understand?

    MLF claimed 100% responsibility for this and absolved anyone else of any blame.
  47. Bobby Dy from Canada writes: Here's a good example of a conservative tactic--how to tell the truth and lie at the same time. See if you can catch it. Here is how Stephen Harper is described in Don Martin's National Post column today:"Stephen Harper wants to give George W. Bush a third term in Ottawa." and "secretive, manipulative, untrustworthy, intolerant, job-killing, climate-change-denying, all-round evil-doer"
  48. Mr. Toronto from Canada writes: LOL, OF COURSE Harper eats Maple Leaf products, can you imagine him taking a number at a proper deli? Never!
  49. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Well done people.... one hour and 11 minutes into the thread.

    48 comments.

    Only 1 non partisan comment involving any intelligent thought.

    Well done.... keep on bashing each other you idiots... I'm out of here.

    CHeers... NOT
  50. ali mansur from etobicoke, Canada writes: Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: ali mansur .... nice paraphrase.

    ----

    Thanks! Although, you mean analogy. But what you don't understand is that MLF's standard practice when Listeria was discovered, was to clean the equipment. That's it. They do not recall any meat, they do not stop meat from leaving the facility. They do not thoroughly test the meat they plan on shipping.

    As it turns out, their cleaning procedure was invalid. The CFIA had asked MLF to demonstrate how they clean the equipment and it was cause to keep the plant closed.
  51. Mr. Toronto from Canada writes: Scot Loucks, the fact that you took the trouble to say anything says more about you than us. BTW, so you eat store bought cold cuts?
  52. Brian Van Ezel from Ottawa, Canada writes: Funny how he is willing to promise things during an election when he can't do them. It would have been nice if he did things while in power. Instead he passed some American style crime laws and removed government inspectors from meat packaging plants.
  53. West Virginian Albino Mexican from Canada writes: Bobby Dy from Canada writes: Here's a good example of a conservative tactic--how to tell the truth and lie at the same time. See if you can catch it. Here is how Stephen Harper is described in Don Martin's National Post column today:"Stephen Harper wants to give George W. Bush a third term in Ottawa." and "secretive, manipulative, untrustworthy, intolerant, job-killing, climate-change-denying, all-round evil-doer"

    ===================================================

    John McCain is not GWB. GWB is an idiot, McCain has yet to show us what he's like, as Layton or May would have to do here in Canada. If Obama wins and Harper wins, they'll have the same relationship as Harper/Bush have now.

    As for "secretive, manipulative, untrustworthy, intolerant, job-killing, climate-change-denying, all-round evil-doer" - while Dion was secretive, manipulative and untrustworthy with the way he ran his leadership campaign on the premise of no carbon tax, I doubt he's an intolerant job-killing climate change denying all-around evil-doer.
  54. Kan Tankerous from Tronna, Canada writes:

    Dear Santa Steve,

    I've been good so this year I want:

    A bridge.

    An auto factory bailout.

    A tainted-meat inquiry.

    Bags of cash for Toronto to fight gangs.

    A shiny new tsunami siren (since Tofino has to buy their own you probably have a spare)...

    and oh, an autographed picture of Danny Williams.

    ABC
  55. mike sty - from Canada writes: Nathan Cool from Vancouver, Canada writes: So concerned, he cut meat plant inspections and allowed for the outbreak to occur.

    What a responsible and caring man.
    -------------------------

    Harpers Walkerton

    Harris..........CONservative

    Harper........CONservative

    Harris.........privatize/deregulate water safety regulation

    Harper........cut food safety inspectors

    Harris.......7 Dead,........2,000 sickened

    Harper........12 Dead(to date).......100's sickened

    Ideology Driven Tax cut CONservatives..........

    What do CONservatives have against Public Safety???????
  56. Bobby Dy from Canada writes: West Virginian Albino Mexican, no, you missed it. It had nothing to do with describing John McCain or Stephane Dion. This is how Harper was described in Don Martin's column.
  57. rick from river city from Canada writes: Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Well done people.... one hour and 11 minutes into the thread. 48 comments. Only 1 non partisan comment involving any intelligent thought.

    ... and that would be your comment right Scot
  58. West Virginian Albino Mexican from Canada writes: Bobby Dy from Canada writes: West Virginian Albino Mexican, no, you missed it. It had nothing to do with describing John McCain or Stephane Dion. This is how Harper was described in Don Martin's column.

    ================================================

    Bobby, lighten up - I was being facetious.

    You're turning into another Vern! :-)

    Cheers!
  59. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: ali mansur from etobicoke, Canada writes: Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: ali mansur .... nice paraphrase.

    ----

    Thanks! Although, you mean analogy. But what you don't understand is that MLF's standard practice when Listeria was discovered, was to clean the equipment. That's it. They do not recall any meat, they do not stop meat from leaving the facility. They do not thoroughly test the meat they plan on shipping.

    As it turns out, their cleaning procedure was invalid. The CFIA had asked MLF to demonstrate how they clean the equipment and it was cause to keep the plant closed.

    ---------------

    The Paraphrase was how you handled my comment ALI... the bs analogy was what you offered afterwards.

    Totally untrue.... the plant was not closed by anyone but MLF. Make a point sir.... but don't lie doing it.

    As I asked you before.. have you ever been in one of these plants?... you have lots to say but I know you have never been in one of the plants.

    Nice try though.

    Cheers
  60. Loudan Bellicose from Canada writes: A large number of workers at Maple Leaf are immigrants that come from countries with no tradition of Hygeine and no tradition of responsibility. Why are we surprised when this happens.
    McCain should be arrested for endangering the public through his incompentence. McCain by being,"Politically Correct", and hiring these people and not correcting their behavior, because it is racist to discipline non whites, is guilty.
    He should be in jail!
    Let us hear from Maple Leaf workers.
  61. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Mr. Toronto from Canada writes: Scot Loucks, the fact that you took the trouble to say anything says more about you than us. BTW, so you eat store bought cold cuts?

    =================

    LOL.... all the time. so do you.... at least this batch.

    Most of the cold cuts went to a next level packaging. Including Subway and Mr. Sub.

    Others were sent to the Costco's of this world for further Cold Plate repackaging.

    It wasn't your standard slab of Balogna that you get from your Delii at your local grocery store (Blue Ribbon is the best) or your packaged balogna.

    In fact they are pretty sure it was the Turkey or the Beef.... (sliced) that went out for the repackaging I mentioned above.

    My daugter works in a grocery store here in Pickering... she spent most of last monday handling product returns of all types of MLF product... including bacon.... LOL... you cook bacon don't you? That kills all Listeria bacteria.

    To funny...

    Cheers
  62. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: rick from river city from Canada writes: Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Well done people.... one hour and 11 minutes into the thread. 48 comments. Only 1 non partisan comment involving any intelligent thought.

    ... and that would be your comment right Scot

    ----------------------

    Find me another non partisan comment on the thread Rick from River City.... then we can deal with the intelligent comment.

    My comment suggested that Harper is wrong .... and I said I was a Conservative voter.

    Cheers
  63. West Virginian Albino Mexican from Canada writes: mike sty - from Canada writes: Nathan Cool from Vancouver, Canada writes: So concerned, he cut meat plant inspections and allowed for the outbreak to occur.

    What a responsible and caring man.
    -------------------------

    Harpers Walkerton

    Harris..........CONservative

    Harper........CONservative

    Harris.........privatize/deregulate water safety regulation

    Harper........cut food safety inspectors

    Harris.......7 Dead,........2,000 sickened

    Harper........12 Dead(to date).......100's sickened

    Ideology Driven Tax cut CONservatives..........

    What do CONservatives have against Public Safety???????

    ====================================================

    MLF accepted 100% responsibility for this fiasco, absolving anyone of blame.

    Lying Mike Sty......

    What does MIKE Sty have against telling the truth??????
  64. siren call from Canada writes: Loudan Bellicose from Canada writes: A large number of workers at Maple Leaf are immigrants that come from countries with no tradition of Hygeine ...........
    ...........................................

    Blech. Even partisanship is better than this type of comment.

    Them thar immgrants probably spell a tad better, too.
  65. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: West Virginian Albino Mexican ...... Mike Sty is a Liberal/NDP hack (my guess is NDP ... too stupid to even be a Liberal) that never ever ever has anything intelligent to add to a conversation. Like many on these politico threads. ... there are a number of same on the Conservative side.

    They are all ignored by most.... at best... auto deleted.

    Cheers
  66. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Loudan Bellicose from Canada writes: A large number of workers at Maple Leaf are immigrants that come from countries with no tradition of Hygeine and no tradition of responsibility. Why are we surprised when this happens.
    McCain should be arrested for endangering the public through his incompentence. McCain by being,"Politically Correct", and hiring these people and not correcting their behavior, because it is racist to discipline non whites, is guilty.
    He should be in jail!
    Let us hear from Maple Leaf workers

    ----------------------

    Truly pathetic ... check yourself in dude.
  67. Randal Oulton from Toronto, Canada writes: >> Canadian Auto Workers union president Buzz Hargrove said he is furious that it took the Conservatives more than 21/2 years to finally support auto-industry investments

    In other news, Mr Hargrove is just as furious that non-unionized Canadians don't receive pharmacare, dentalcare, and eyecare, as he does. As if.
  68. Loudan Bellicose from Canada writes: Siren and Scot, you are as bad as McCain.
    You eat the food, I don't want food made by third world standards.
  69. garlick toast from Canada writes: Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Loudan Bellicose from Canada writes:

    ----------------------------------

    I'm glad he's one of yours:-)
  70. R I from Canada writes: ...and why should we beleive he intends to keep these promises? His track record is hardly inspiring...
  71. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: garlic toast.... you're kidding right?

    Cheers
  72. P Martin from St. John's, Canada writes: More lies and deception. Harper may have put more money into food inspection but cut food inspectors. I wonder where that money really went. Harper is all about deregulation and could not care less about public safety. Well, that is not completely true, when it may get him some votes, he will be first in line to launch an inquiry. Of course it is for the public good. The problem with Harper is that he has used so many tragedies for vote buying that people automatically doubt his sincerity. Harper has broken so many promises that people no longer believe what he is saying. Harper has been the cause of all the problems he is having with a public impression that is less than flattering.
  73. garlick toast from Canada writes: Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: garlic toast.... you're kidding right?

    Cheers

    ------------------------------

    Absolutely
  74. Derek Holtom from Swan River (only cowards use fake names on here), Canada writes: I think it's impossible to write political stories without having them full of opinions.
    also, I think some of what is posted on here is truly twisted and sick.
  75. North Star from Canada writes: Harper needs to start with his government's own proposal for offloading public responsibility of food inspection to industry.

    Harper cannot be trusted
  76. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: North Star from Canada writes: Harper needs to start with his government's own proposal for offloading public responsibility of food inspection to industry

    =============

    North Star.... I am only picking on you because you are the latest to make that statement.... and because North Star was the name of the first trainer running shoe introduced to NA ... by Thomas Bata... RIP.

    -----------------------

    Lets take this current outbreak as a great example. What do you think would happen to MLF if they had/have another recall of any kind of food in the next year or so?

    Food product (drug product as well) is very easily traceable via lot control systems. (many other products as well). The industry is not in a position to toss out tainted product .... for dollars ... and just shrug and get away with it..

    It is in the best interest of all of our food suppliers to put out a safe product.... and you cynics can sit on it.. MLF would be out of business if this happened again over the next 2 to 5 years.

    Give it some thought people before rediclously tossing out partisan shots.

    Cheers
  77. North Star from Canada writes: Hi Scot. It is a clear conflict of interest to a have a producer also responsible for certifying safety compliance in any industry but this was document direction the Harper government was entertaining.

    Also, it is true Steve does make sandwiches - he is awesome in the Rick Mercer skit, best delivery from any of the PMs on the show for sure, very funny stuff, especially when he hugs Mercer at the end.
  78. North Star from Canada writes: also too scot, I am not partisan and hold all politicians in equal contempt however the LPC doesn't need any help - Dion is on a self-destruct course.

    People who blindly jump and call any criticism of Harper partisan are the ones to be weary of. Cheers!
  79. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: North Star... I have read some of your other posts on other threads...

    and determined that you are not worth having a conversation with.

    Cheers.... and understand that you have just been blown off in terms of intelligent conversation.
  80. siren call from Canada writes: Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes:
    Food product (drug product as well) is very easily traceable via lot control systems. (many other products as well). The industry is not in a position to toss out tainted product .... for dollars ... and just shrug and get away with it..
    .........................................................

    I have always thought the same thing. In fact, usually when a product is recalled, the recallers give out the lot number, or the date it was manufactured, or something other rather specific.

    Which is why it was surprising at the press conference to have HM Clement state that it couldn't be traced and people were best advised to simply throw out any product they had on hand.
  81. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: North Star from Canada writes: Hi Scot. It is a clear conflict of interest to a have a producer also responsible for certifying safety compliance in any industry but this was document direction the Harper government was entertaining.

    -----

    Ok .. maybe at least one other topic.

    What about the drug industry? What about optics? What about all the other lot controlled product? They are all self regulating and have government checks..

    They can all kill us with messed up lots of product.

    Check out my first post and if you want a conversation on the topic ... get back to me.... I have worked with Lot Control type software and systems for almost 30 years.... I don't mind discussing the topic.

    Cheers.
  82. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: siren call from Canada writes: Which is why it was surprising at the press conference to have HM Clement state that it couldn't be traced and people were best advised to simply throw out any product they had on hand. =========== Good point siren call. Not a very smart statement by Clement. It was totally traceable to the lot and date etc. I think that because McCain and MLF had already stood up and taken full responsibility the government was going to let them eat it. (take all blame/cost). Again... not a good day (imo) for my Conservatives. As I mentioned in an earlier post ... my daughter works in a grocery store.... she spent all day taking returned product including bacon... lol ... you cook it... the listeria bacteria is gone. My biggest problem with this hysteria ... which includes the topic of todays thread... an expensive inquiry into what happened... is that 13 people with low immune systems died. My friends mother... doesn't smoke/drink golfs and healthy (you would think) died today at 57.... 6 years older than me... of two strokes. If Harper wants to put money into stopping death.. I can think of many other killler things where the money should go. Cheers
  83. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Siren Call;

    I am going to add to my previously reformatted thread (thanks Globe)

    that Clement probably meant what I said in my first post... they will never find the actual cause of this.

    I suspect if was infected meat coming into the factory.... but that is only my guess.

    No Inquiry etc will ever find the root cause.

    McCain has said that himself.

    Cheers
  84. North Star from Canada writes: Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: North Star from Canada writes: What about the drug industry? What about optics? What about all the other lot controlled product? They are all self regulating and have government checks..

    They can all kill us with messed up lots of product.

    Check out my first post and if you want a conversation on the topic ... get back to me.... I have worked with Lot Control type software and systems for almost 30 years.... I don't mind discussing the topic.

    ======
    Hi Scot, you sure sound like an expert in control systems, none of which can ever absolutely 100 perfect and without a margin of error - it is a resulting statistical consequence, no matter how well mitigated. I designed a sample order system for a big pharma so am somewhat familiar with what you are getting at but that's only one system, not 30 years worth.

    Regardless of the accuracy of control processes, there is no escaping the fact that one cannot both produce and also be responsible for certifying regulatory safety compliance of your own products. Industries invest heavily in their own QA for the survival of their brands but are still necessarily subject to outside, binding audits and review.

    Indeed, better control systems would certainly benefit the public regulatory compliance process by introducing economies and efficiencies but these would still need to be public processes and not, as entertained by the Harper government, shifted into corporate governance.

    I would also say optics are secondary to the publics health but maybe I don't understand what you are getting at.

    Cheers!
  85. Bert Russell Paradox, BC from Canada writes:

    Where are the voices of those responsible to vunerable seniors who have no choice what they eat in the Elder Home System of Ontario.
    Where is the Health prevention in Ontario where Walkerton should have written in stone necessary prevention regulations?? Where is the investigation by our Media .... who are not asking the embarrasing questions of the McGuinty crowd, the advertisers, the Provincial Health Ministry who signed onto deregulation. Why do private Corporations in these industries have the backing of Provincial Legislatures to silence whistleblower legislation of the employees of the Industry and Health Ministry?
  86. siren call from Canada writes: Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Good point siren call. Not a very smart statement by Clement. It was totally traceable to the lot and date etc. I think that because McCain and MLF had already stood up and taken full responsibility the government was going to let them eat it. (take all blame/cost). Again... not a good day (imo) for my Conservatives.
    ...............................

    Hi Scot.

    Had only seen the clip on tv news, so I went looking for a reference for you. Didn't find it but did find lots of info about recalled foods, courtesy of Maple Leaf, replete with lot numbers, product code and a range of manufacture dates.

    So I suppose the officials with Clement squirmed at the press conference but chose not to correct him.

    At the beginning of the listeriosis scare, I thought perhaps the Harper crew were managing it in a manner that would promote deregulation. I mean, with whom do you trust your food? That nice, sincere CEO of Maple Leaf or slimy little Tony "Millhouse" Clement who took off to the Democratic Convention in the middle of it all to party?
  87. JP M from Canada writes: More damage control..... the announcement of an inquiry leads me to believe that they really want this issue to die before the election... or at least go to sleep. I suspect that some probing would uncover more than is already known about Conservative efforts to divest itself of further responsibility for the welfare of Canadians.

    ...I love the drunken sailor spending too... from the "ethical", "transparent" "New" government that fixes election dates and doesn't buy votes.... hahahahahahahahahaha
  88. jack sprat from Canada writes: There is no doubt that Harper has ignored the auto sector because their union backed the Libs last election. Harper would undoubtedly punish these Canadians to teach them a lesson.

    It is only now that his own MP's job is at stake that he swallows hard and donates 80 million.

    BUt make no mistake, this was not for jobs or the auto industry or people's welfare. He has already shown them if they side with another party, they will pay.

    This was done to try to hold this seat and you can bet their polls showed a problem. Just watch teh handouts continue wherever the polls suggest a problem

    Ironic that this election soending spree in the billions is exactly what Reformers and Harper set fixed election dates for. Where are you now Reformers, you are now defending the spending and the igoring of the fixed ekection date law?

    Do not trust Harper.
  89. Don Adams, the Conservative Centrist from Canada writes: A lot of typical leftist BS here. Look for someone else to blame. Never accept personal responsibility. Got to have Big Daddy Gov't looking out for us, protecting us, telling us what we can and can't do. And why do they promote this BS? Because they just don't have the smarts to think, and reason, for themselves. They skipped those classes in school, then decided in their rose coloured worlds they didn't need them after all.

    I got an idea for you wingnuts. Don't buy food! Grow your own veggies, don't eat meat. Drink only distilled water. Disinfect your bodies before handling food...wash, then pass all veggies under ultra voilet light. That way, you'll never get sick!

    Oh, did I mention, stay indoors in a home with a super air cleaning system. Lots of germs outside.

    And, have a nice life, OK? :-)
  90. jack sprat from Canada writes: This occurred after Harper dereglated this plant for test purposes prior to rolling out the privatization nationwide. The man who reported it got fired, while the man who turned in the whistleblower got rewarded by Tony Clement.

    Now the judge who headed the Dryden plane crash investiagtion has also slammed harper for privatizing the airline inspection department. Cons, does this judge not know what hes talking about. Do you even know this privatization is occurring?

    Plane crashes will also increase in frequency. Businesses cannot police themselves. The costs are viewed from a risk management perspective NOT a public safety perspective. And they have insurance for the odd "mistake".

    Do not trust Harper.
  91. jack sprat from Canada writes: All i can say to this is

    WOW!!

    http://trustbreaker.blogspot.com/
  92. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Don Adams.. try a conversation with me.

    I am a lifetime conservative voter.... If you really have something to say... (as apposed to being another partisan BS '' er... Lets try on this one.

    Cheers
  93. Cheap Skate from Vancouver, Canada writes: Scot Loucks: You are correct. They never will find the cause of this outbreak, and they know exactly which lots were involved on the day.

    As someone who worked in the food industry and helped to implement a number of Laboratory Control systems, I would suggest that Canada Food Agency Inspectors will always have a lower impact on food quality than the attitude of the workers and especially the management. Trying to police in from the outside will never be as effective as trying to manage from within.

    This kind of event can only occur for one of four reasons: 1 - Someone forgot to do their job; 2 - The process was wrong in the first place; 3- Someone deliberately acted to taint the process; 4 - A machine broke. Reason 1 is the most likely and how would the arrival of CFA inspectors prevent this from happening?
  94. Mrs. Whiggins from Canada writes: Stephen Harper's vows aren't worth a plug nickel. Ask around.
  95. Bert Russell Paradox, BC from Canada writes:
    Jack Sprat: who would eat nothing but Liberal fat has a problem with privatize .... but remained silent when Martin removed budgets and expenditures of Departments such as Indian Affairs (to mention one of many) from being audited by Sheila Fraser. Even Department like Public Works and Purchasing show money was passed without receipts by the Liberal Party, but somehow their Ministers are not responsible for transactions, contracts in their Departments. Liberal = all benefits but no accountability.
    • Posted 04/09/08 at 4:09 AM EST |