We know that the visual inspections required to do sanitation checks and pre-operational checks--where issues like problems with cutting machines can be addressed--were not done. We know that's a resource problem.
We know that during the pilot project many aspects of the program were not carried out. Whether it was a part of it at a particular plant or another part at another plant, we know that big pieces were missing. It's all based on a lack of resources. If you introduce an audit approach to inspection, put it on paper that you need to do X, Y, and Z to have a valid audit inspection or inspection process, and take away one of the components, you no longer have a valid inspection process. That's what has happened here.
As for it not making a difference, when the inspectors used to do these pre-operational inspections themselves, things like debris on cutting machines or anywhere else in the plant were noticed by the inspectors on a frequent basis. In the past, inspectors ordered that cutting machines be taken apart and cleaned. Since that role fell to plant employees and no visual inspections were being done by CFIA inspectors, those machines never came apart. The manufacturer's specifications said we didn't have to take them apart, so plant employees at Maple Leaf didn't. It would have cost them money, time, etc. When the inspectors are there, they order it taken apart, period.
So I think that very likely could have made a difference. We'd have to turn the clock back and redo it to make sure, but those are the very things inspectors notice when they're present.