Thank you, Anu.
Option consommateurs was established in 1983. We are a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote and protect the interests of consumers and ensure that they are respected. Our head office is located in Montreal and we also have an office in Ottawa. We intervene in matters of public policy that involve the federal and Quebec governments.
As regards the listeriosis crisis, we have been very active in this file since the problem first came to light in June of 2008. We have repeatedly called for a judicial inquiry, very much like Mr. Attaran. Option consommateurs also launched a class action suit in Quebec against Maple Leaf Foods. As you know, similar actions were commenced in Saskatchewan and Ontario. Furthermore, a national settlement was recently approved by the courts. The claims administrator is now accepting individual claims. We have provided a copy of the relevant documentation to the clerk, Mr. Chaplin, for your perusal.
We are here today to give you the consumer's perspective on the handling of the listeria crisis and to make some recommendations on how the Canadian Food Inspection Agency might become a more consumer-friendly organization.