Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am Paul Mayers, vice-president of policy and programs at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, or CFIA.
The $38.8-million increase reflected in supplementary estimates will help the agency continue to deliver on its mandate for food safety, animal and plant health, and the Government of Canada priorities.
There is $14.1 million to maintain critical food safety activities that prevent, detect, and respond to food-borne illness outbreaks. This renewed funding will support activities focused on listeria in ready-to-eat meat, as well as the broader food safety inspection system.
There is $12.5 million to maintain daily shift presence in federally registered meat processing establishments. This renewed funding will primarily support front-line meat inspectors and program specialists in Canadian meat-processing plants. It will sustain domestic and international confidence, while supporting continued trade.
There is $5.5 million allocated to maintain critical food safety activities, which have been part of the action plan to modernize food safety inspection in Canada.
This renewed funding will support critical program activities that are now a core part of the food safety system. These include enhanced inspections, laboratory testing, program management, health risk assessments, and training, all of which are designed to prevent, detect, and respond to food-borne illness outbreaks through increased inspection, addressing listeria in non-meat products, and investing in modernizing the agency's food safety oversight for both meat and non-meat products.
There is $5.1 million to maintain the CFIA's inspection verification office, which strengthens the agency's overall system. This renewed funding is required to maintain delivery of unannounced reviews of CFIA's inspections of federally registered establishments based on risk. These reviews make sure that inspections are being carried out according to CFIA guidelines. By tracking results from these verifications, the CFIA is able to identify trends, systemic issues, and best practices, which help to inform and improve the overall performance of Canada's food safety inspection system.
There is $1.6 million to maintain and upgrade federal infrastructure assets. In 2016-17, the CFIA will begin a two-year initiative to undertake structural stabilization of the general services building and address aging infrastructure at our Lethbridge laboratory in Alberta.
The Lethbridge laboratory has a rich history of contributing to animal health and protecting our animal resources through diagnostic testing and research initiatives. The Lethbridge lab celebrated its 110th anniversary last year.
Mr. Chair, the increased funding I have discussed today allows the CFIA to continue to innovate, to continue to be vigilant and to continue to work on behalf of all Canadians. It provides a clear indication of the value the government places on food safety and consumer protection.
Thank you.