Subcommittee on Food Safety Committee on April 29th, 2009

[The Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

Okay, we'll call this meeting to order.

Thank you very much to our guests.

Mr. Minister, thanks for coming today.

We also have Ms. Swan here, from the CFIA, and Mr. Mayers, Mr. Baker, Mr. Evans, and Mr. Prince. Thanks very much for making yourselves available today.

I presume, Mr. Minister, you'd like to make some opening remarks, so I'll turn it over to you.

[Gerry Ritz, Conservative, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Of course, it's a pleasure to be here. Thank you for the opportunity to have a dialogue with you today.

By anyone's definition, what happened last summer was a tragedy. On my behalf, and that of the CFIA and the Government of Canada, I would again like to offer sincere condolences to everyone touched by this tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers continue to go out to those families.

Each of us has a role to play in food safety. All levels of government work together to build food safety systems and policies. Governments work with players throughout the food chain to make that system work, from farmers to processors, to retailers, to our own kitchen counters.

The Government of Canada accepts its share of responsibility for what happened last summer. Protecting Canada's food supply is an important part of my job, as minister responsible for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

Food safety is important to me on a deeper level, as it is to you. As a father and a grandfather, I want to know that we're serving safe food to our families. That's why our government is working so hard to learn the lessons of last summer's outbreak. In fact, there have been four lessons-learned reports that are already taking a hard, introspective look at the situation to find ways to improve. We're going even further by appointing an independent investigator to give Canadians confidence that we are leaving no stone unturned.

I would also like to thank this committee for redoubling its commitment to identify opportunities to strengthen Canada's food safety system. By adding extra meetings and sitting longer, you're going to make sure that Canadian consumers have the answers they need this spring, instead of waiting until next December—and I thank you for that. It's good to see that opposition members are willing to join government members to go that extra mile and complete this work as quickly as possible.

It can't be said enough that nothing is more important than maintaining and strengthening our food safety system. The government's most important role, as you know, is to deliver the resources and to establish the policies necessary to keep our food supply safe.

Although the CFIA is part of my portfolio as the Minister of Agriculture, it is a science-based regulatory agency with its own statutory powers. In fact, its Office of Food Safety and Recall operates independently, with protocols to act immediately when there is a confirmed link between food and illness. Every Canadian, including those who are personally affected, has this government's pledge that we will continue to strengthen Canada's food safety system.

Even prior to the events of last summer, our government announced $113 million for the food safety action plan, and introduced amendments to toughen the laws under the Food and Drugs Act.

During our first two years in government, we've hired 200 new food inspectors. The CFIA has increased its staffing by more than 13% in that timeframe. In fact, the CFIA has more resources and inspection staff than ever before, because we've allocated record budgets. This government is also investing $250 million this year in Canada's laboratory facilities.

As you know, you can't see, taste, touch, or smell many food safety risks, including the listeria we faced. That's why this government has increased monitoring for listeria. Having food inspectors simply walk around and watch the production lines is just not good enough. As technology changes and ingredients are sourced from all over the world, we must continue to improve.

Canada's food safety regulations are now tougher than ever before. Unfortunately, in early 2005 environmental tests were no longer required, and even if a plant did its own testing, there was no requirement at that time to report the results. Last summer's recalls made it clear that the cancellation of that particular requirement under a previous government was a huge mistake. That's why this government has implemented Canada's toughest environmental testing requirements. Processors are now required to meet stringent and consistent end-product and environmental testing standards. These tests are reviewed on a regular basis by CFIA inspectors. If a plant finds any positive test, they are now required to immediately report that positive to the CFIA. These results are immediately submitted for further laboratory testing. In fact, results from those accredited labs will be sent back directly to the CFIA, not the processor.

Our government is going even further by reinstating the CFIA's own comprehensive environmental testing regime. CFIA inspectors will now perform their own environmental tests to provide another level of oversight. This not only rebuilds the environmental testing regime that was cut in 2005, but it also goes above and beyond it with new and stronger requirements.

As you know, enhanced listeria testing is only one example of our continuing work to strengthen Canada's food safety system. In 2005 it became mandatory for processors to implement hazard analysis critical control point programs, also known as HACCP.

HACCP programs are an internationally accepted scientific standard for minimizing risk at key points in a production line. Sometimes this requirement has been incorrectly characterized as turning over inspection to industry. Nothing could be further from the truth. Canada's world-renowned chief veterinary officer, Brian Evans, made this point very clear to this committee. HACCP is not privatization and never will be privatization.

In reality, HACCP identifies the most critical stages in food production where problems are most likely to occur. That way we can prevent problems by focusing extra safety checks on those specific points. This helps inspectors catch potential problems sooner and fix them, rather than waiting until the end of the line.

Canada's food inspection system builds on the strength of the HACCP system. The compliance verification system, or CVS, was designed in the same year, 2005, and became mandatory in 2008. CVS complements HACCP by ensuring that inspectors consistently complete specific tasks on a checklist within certain timeframes. Some critics have mischaracterized CVS as another level of paperwork, or a weakening of the actual enforcement. Once again, nothing could be further from the truth.

Canada's food safety standards, regulations---

[Wayne Easter, Liberal, Malpeque, PE]

Mr. Chair, point of order.

Mr. Chair, does the minister have a copy of his remarks translated? The minister has the full resources of the department. This is a committee looking into listeriosis that caused 22 deaths. Surely the minister has a copy of his remarks before this parliamentary committee, does he not?

[The Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

I can ask him for that.

[Wayne Easter, Liberal, Malpeque, PE]

This is technical stuff. I would think the department would have it for us. Do we not have copies available for members now?

[The Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

There are none available that I'm aware of, Mr. Easter, and I don't believe that's a point of order.

[Brian Storseth, Conservative, Westlock—St. Paul, AB]

This is the first time that Mr. Easter has brought this up during the subcommittee hearings. He has not asked for the other witnesses to have interpreted remarks.

[The Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

Point taken.

Mr. Minister, go ahead.

[Gerry Ritz, Conservative, Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK]

Mr. Chair, if you would like us to retire and have translation done and have copies made, we can come back at another date, if that would be more suitable for Mr. Easter.

[The Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

I think for the rest of us, Mr. Minister, your comments will do for the time being.

Proceed please.

[Gerry Ritz, Conservative, Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK]

Thank you.

I was talking about CVS. Canada's food inspection system builds on the strength of HACCP. The compliance verification system, or CVS, was designed in 2005 and became mandatory in 2008. CVS, of course, complements HACCP by ensuring that inspectors consistently complete specific tasks on a checklist within certain timeframes.

Some critics, as I said, have mischaracterized CVS as another level of paperwork or a weakening of enforcement. Once again, nothing could be further from the truth. Canada's food safety standards and regulations and CFIA's enforcement mechanisms all remain intact under CVS. As I said earlier, CVS was designed in 2005, then was pilot-tested and became mandatory throughout Canadian processing plants in 2008. CVS was not new. It's a standard procedure for Canadian food inspection.

As we continue to strengthen Canada's food safety system, it's important to look back at what happened last summer. As I've said, the outbreak was a tragedy by anyone's definition. All of those affected deserve a detailed account of what happened and a renewed effort to strengthen the system to prevent future outbreaks.

Last summer's outbreak brought together numerous government agencies--the Public Health Agency of Canada, Health Canada, provincial governments, local health units, the private sector, and of course the CFIA. Toronto Public Health first told the CFIA on August 6 about two cases of listeria at a nursing home. The CFIA then coordinated a sampling blitz with Ontario health and long-term care and Ontario health units. Accurate scientific sampling was essential to pinpoint the source of the problem and rule out other potential sources, such as improper handling and food preparation.

Within 24 hours of being informed of the initial two cases, the CFIA conducted intensive investigations to look for links between other listeria cases that might identify products causing the illnesses. The CFIA intensively investigated, beginning August 7, confirming listeria on August 16, and verifying the specific DNA fingerprint on August 23. At the same time, CFIA food specialists traced implicated products back to a specific production location. As soon as those trace-outs were done, the CFIA scrutinized production and distribution records from the affected Toronto plant to find and search for the products in question.

Late on August 16, the lab results were definitive and the science-based evidence identified a Maple Leaf plant in Toronto as the source of the tainted meat. Recalls of the tainted products started immediately in the early morning hours of Sunday, August 17. Those voluntary recalls were closely directed and supervised by the CFIA; therefore, mandatory recalls were not necessary in this specific case.

The CFIA alerted the public and recalled a total of 192 Maple Leaf products. The recall remained voluntary because Maple Leaf was prepared to act quickly and cooperatively, but mandatory recall powers were always in place if necessary. The CFIA conducted 30,000 effectiveness checks to make sure the recalled products were pulled from the shelves. These effectiveness checks included on-site visits as well as direct contact with retailers on Maple Leaf's distribution records.

After this summer's outbreak, the government took quick action to further strengthen our food safety system. On September 5 new directives were immediately implemented to require industry to more thoroughly and aggressively sanitize slicing equipment beyond even the manufacturer's recommendations.

Further product and environmental testing programs have been reintroduced and enhanced. You heard Dr. Brian Evans confirm that test results are being constantly reviewed, and the CFIA has reintroduced its own environmental testing as part of the inspection tasks, along with continued government end-product testing. Both processors and the CFIA can now more accurately analyze environmental testing results to spot trends and hopefully prevent outbreaks of the magnitude we saw last summer.

We continue to work with all of the government agencies responsible as well as industry leaders to find new ways to strengthen our food safety system. That's why the Prime Minister appointed Sheila Weatherill to lead the independent investigation into last summer's outbreak. Canadians know Ms. Weatherill is an extraordinarily qualified individual who has served as the CEO for one of Canada's largest health regions. Not only does Ms. Weatherill have extensive experience in public health, but she has also assembled a team of experts from a variety of backgrounds to work with her to independently examine the factors that contributed to this outbreak. She has the resources and wide-ranging mandate necessary to conduct a thorough and comprehensive independent review.

I've made the commitment to her that everyone involved will continue to cooperate fully. Contrary to statements made by some members of this committee, Ms. Weatherill and I will meet. As Ms. Weatherill has told this committee, everyone has fully cooperated with her during her investigation. When her report is completed this summer, it will be made public. I'm looking forward to studying that report, and we're committed to further strengthening our food safety system based on her recommendations.

Ladies and gentlemen, we all know that the events of last summer were triggered by a previously unidentified risk harboured deep inside a piece of slicing equipment. But we recognize that there's always room for improvement in everything we do. As new information and technology becomes available, we will continue to implement new ways to strengthen our food safety system. This government is giving the CFIA the resources necessary to make those improvements. We are committed to acting on the lessons learned and on the recommendations the independent investigation brings forward early this summer.

Thank you again for the opportunity to be here today, and I look forward to your questions.

[The Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

Thank you very much, Mr. Minister.

Before we go on, I'd just like to welcome members of the media and the public. I'm very happy to have two members from my own riding here today, Dan and Brad Keifer. Welcome. They're sitting in for a few minutes.

I would suggest, with the time allotted, if everyone's agreeable, that we go to five-minute rounds. So everybody....

[Wayne Easter, Liberal, Malpeque, PE]

No, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

No? Okay, we'll have seven-minute rounds.

We'll go to Mr. Easter.

[Wayne Easter, Liberal, Malpeque, PE]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

First, Mr. Minister, you are the minister with responsibility for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Is that correct?

[Gerry Ritz, Conservative, Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK]

Yes.

[Wayne Easter, Liberal, Malpeque, PE]

Mr. Minister, I will admit, looking at the schedule, and we've talked about this, that I'm actually shocked by the fact that you're giving this committee just an hour of your time. When all parties of this Parliament of Canada have determined that this examination into the worst food contamination in Canadian history.... You're the minister ultimately responsible, at the end of the day, and you only have an hour's time for the interests of Canadians and for your responsibility and those with you in that dilemma?

What are you doing at five o'clock tonight?

[Gerry Ritz, Conservative, Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK]

This afternoon, Mr. Easter, I have a prior commitment with the cabinet committee.

[Wayne Easter, Liberal, Malpeque, PE]

You have a prior commitment.

Mr. Minister, I just find it shameful that the minister of the crown has only an hour's time--

[The Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

Point of order, Mr. Anderson.

[David Anderson, Conservative, Cypress Hills—Grasslands, SK]

Mr. Chair, in light of what Mr. Easter's saying, I'm confused that he's using half his time to complain about the lack of time. If he wants to get to the issue, I'm sure he can do that.

[The Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

Okay.

[Wayne Easter, Liberal, Malpeque, PE]

I'll get to the issue, Mr. Chair, and we know that the government members are here to provide interference.

You admitted during your remarks, Mr. Minister, that Ms. Weatherill has not interviewed you as yet. Don't you find it kind of strange that the very first witness she wouldn't hear from would be the minister that has overall responsibility?

[Gerry Ritz, Conservative, Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK]

Well, I guess there are a number of ways of looking at that, Mr. Easter. As the independent investigator, the timeframe is hers. I made myself available to her from the beginning. She has chosen to hold me towards the end of her witness list, for whatever reasons she has. I will leave that up to her, but I will certainly make myself available to her when she asks.

[Wayne Easter, Liberal, Malpeque, PE]

In your remarks you indicated, and she did as well, that her purpose is to examine the factors that contributed to the listeriosis crisis. She made no reference to examining ministerial responsibility or the machinery-of-government responsibility. Is that your estimation of her so-called investigation as well?