Evidence of meeting #52 for Agriculture and Agri-Food in the 41st Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was cfia.
A video is available from Parliament.
October 25th, 2012 / 10:35 a.m.
Conservative
Brian Storseth Conservative Westlock—St. Paul, AB
Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
I want to thank Mr. Rafferty for his comments, but let's just set the record straight: Alberta beef is still the best beef in the world.
10:35 a.m.
Voices
Oh, oh!
10:35 a.m.
Conservative
Brian Storseth Conservative Westlock—St. Paul, AB
I'd like to thank the CFIA officials. This is a very serious topic, and I want to thank you for the work you've done.
I think that when it gets into the realm of politics, oftentimes we do food safety a disservice. When an issue like XL or listeriosis comes up, everybody wants to be able to say they've found the solution for ever and ever, and there will never be another problem, but we know, as the minister said, that food safety isn't a static issue. It is one that is constantly growing and evolving, and we need to be on top of it. I think timelines are important, so could you just clarify when this legislation was actually tabled?
10:40 a.m.
Vice-President, Policy and Programs, Canadian Food Inspection Agency
It was tabled on June 17, I believe.
10:40 a.m.
Conservative
Brian Storseth Conservative Westlock—St. Paul, AB
So it was well before the issue of XL came up.
CFIA has been proactively looking at improving its safety systems. We continue to evolve and assuredly will continue to evolve for as long as we're doing this. I am proud that we have one of the best food safety systems in the world.
I know the minister's not here, but I believe his experience in this, as well as the experience of the officials we have here and in CFIA, helped not only to control the XL situation but also served to maintain composure with the general public outside of the Ottawa bubble. In my riding, people were reassured and have the idea that we do have the best food safety system in the world. It's important that we continue to maintain that. I want to congratulate you.
I have a question. For the layman who reads this, it's easy to say, “Well, is some food safety inspector able to come in and just write out a fine for $500,000? All of a sudden, we've given all these powers to CFIA officials that are outside those of even a judge and jury.”
Could you clarify the process, and the appeals process as well?
10:40 a.m.
President, Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Thank you very much for the question.
I'll ask Mr. Mayers to elaborate on a couple of points, but we'll go back to the basic point. All of our inspectors will have to be held to a test of reasonableness and will have to act based on information.
As I mentioned, there is a specific review mechanism contained in this bill for any regulated party who feels that an inspector has behaved inappropriately, has exceeded his authority, or has not used the authority properly in relation to the situation. That review mechanism is built in. The intent is to set it up in a such a way that we can have a timely response to complaints.
We put an awful lot of effort into training our inspectors, and that's a key aspect of their training: not only what authority they have, but also what's appropriate to use in a particular situation.
Paul, do you have anything to add?
10:40 a.m.
Associate Vice-President, Policy and Programs, Canadian Food Inspection Agency
The one thing I would add is that it is an entire system. An inspector is not going to be operating so independently in making a decision that it becomes arbitrary. The training that the president spoke about is a critical element, but that inspector is also going to be supported by a network in terms of interpretation so that when an inspector is faced with a situation, they apply their judgment, but they also have the support of program specialists who can provide direct feedback to the inspector on the interpretation of events. Before a decision is taken on using an AMP, that process of interaction within the entire system is applied so that we ensure not only reasonableness but also consistency of the decision.
10:40 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Merv Tweed
I'm going to stop there. The bells are ringing.
We have a brief five-minute in camera meeting that I ask the members to stay for.
I thank our guests today. We appreciate your comments.
I want to inform people in the room that a purse has been found in the ladies' washroom, and it is believed to be from this committee. It's at the Sergeant-at-Arms office in the basement.
Thank you for being here. I ask you to please remove yourselves as quickly as possible, as we do have other business.
We have a two-minute recess.
[Proceedings continue in camera]