In recent weeks, we Canadians have seen the biggest public health disaster since Walkerton.
Not since the Walkerton tragedy, when Ontarians died as a result of the gross incompetence and the ideological "gutting" of public health services by Mike Harris’ Tory government, have Canadians seen such disastrous management of the public health, not to mention such incompetence and negligence by a government.
The “tainted meat” tragedy has resulted in the deaths of 18 people from Listeriosis.
Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz exemplifies the Conservative Harper government. He has exhibited all of its traits, with tragic consequences. Through his incompetence, he has mismanaged the Listeriosis disaster in true Harper fashion.
Mr. Ritz sat on his hands and did nothing to remedy the problem until, after 17 deaths and much pushing from the Liberal opposition he called for an internal inquiry into the problem. This has caused an outcry from the Canadian Medical Association's Scientific Journal -- they have pushed for a public inquiry into this scandalous breach of public health principles.
Where was the Minister of Health during these incidents? The minister was in Denver for the Democratic Convention, making jokes about tainted meat at a cocktail party.
The thing about ideological public policy, is that when it is based on faith and nothing more and when policy ignores data, studies and scientific evidence, the citizens are the ones to suffer.
Cutting the resources of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (with a view to privatization) is part of the Harris/Harper school of government. Cutting taxes leaves no income for government services. Everyone is left to fend for themselves.
This callousness, this disregard, and lack of compassion is another trait of the Harper government that Mr. Ritz has demonstrated. His response to the listeriosis deaths was a sick witticism: "death by a thousand cold-cuts".
Is this the government we deserve?
