House of Commons photoLost her last election, in 2021, with 33% of the vote.
Safe Food for Canadians Act November 19th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to work with Malcolm on this file on the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food. I have a lot to learn and I continue to learn.
I would like him to talk about fines. This bill provides for steeper fines. Will the imposition of harsher and stricter penalties help strengthen our food safety?
Food Safety October 26th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives claim that Bill S-11 is crucial to preventing other problems related to E. coli. Yesterday, however, the minister admitted that his department did not impose strict rules when it comes to food safety. If the inspectors are not doing their jobs and do not have the resources they need, new legislation will not change anything.
The minister has admitted that his system does not work. Will he now allow the external review of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency that the NDP has been calling for?
Agriculture and Agri-Food October 26th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, this monster budget also repeals the grain appeal tribunals. The changes are throwing up roadblocks for farmers who disagree with decisions made regarding the weight or quality of the grain they bring to market. The farmers are the ones who will suffer from these poorly thought-out reforms.
Instead of abandoning farmers, does the minister have another solution to propose in cases of conflict?
Business of Supply October 18th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, on October 7, Tim Harper said that the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food must take responsibility for the tainted beef scandal. This is important because the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food is responsible for the CFIA.
Does my colleague believe that the minister has been doing a good job to date?
Business of Supply October 18th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend my colleague on his speech and for shedding some light on this situation.
The Conservatives are saying that they offered the CFIA an additional $100 million in funding this year, which is completely false. The investment was $100 million over five years and, of that amount, only $18 million will be given to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. It is important to point that out.
Remember that we are calling for the resignation of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. Many people have expressed their agreement with this. On October 5, Don Martin said that Mr. Ritz deserves a vote of non-confidence. On October 7, Tim Harper said that Mr. Ritz must take responsibility—
Business of Supply October 18th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, that was an interesting speech. It is important to have great debate.
In 2011 XL received $1.6 million in growing forward grants to install state-of-the-art technology that would double its capacity per day. Now the plant can process 4,000 to 5,000 heads. There has not been any more inspectors at that plant since 2006. Therefore, how can it increase production without more inspectors and ensure the safety of Canadians at the same time?
Business of Supply October 18th, 2012
Sorry, Mr. Speaker. XL Foods had a lot of problems at that plant. It had broken sprinklers, improper cleaning, an inadequate monitoring system and thousands of pounds of beef became contaminated. This went on for weeks and weeks. Is CFIA one of the minister's responsibilities?
Business of Supply October 18th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, I have two questions for the minister. Is the Canadian Food Inspection Agency your responsibility? Also—
Business of Supply October 18th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, we are talking about Bill S-11 and we are losing track of the motion. I suggest that the hon. member read it:
That, in light of the current contaminated meat scandal at XL Foods, and considering that the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food has not learned the lesson from the 2008 listeriosis scandal that cost twenty-two Canadians their lives...
I think we should focus on this. We are looking for answers, and the minister has not been responsible. He needs to step up or step down.
Business of Supply October 18th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, we support the bill. It is a good bill, but I think we could do better with it. We would be proposing amendments to it. I cannot wait to see it and actually work on the bill. It is very important.
I do not think it will stop another crisis like this. That is why we need to really work on it and make sure our system is stronger, because there are a lot of holes in the bill.