Caveat emptor...Canadian consumers beware

Last November, a plan was drawn up by the Agriculture Dept. and approved by the Treasury Board, to take the responsibility of food inspection from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, and to give it to the food industry. This plan was kept secret from the Canadian public, because of “significant communication risks” (read public outrage and outcry), according to the Agriculture Dept.

     The Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s role would only be one of oversight of the industry's inspection ( similar to that in the U.S.A. ). Why the secrecy? What are they afraid of? If the Agriculture Dept. thinks that this is a good idea, it should reveal its plan and defend it, and not simply sneak it upon an uninformed and unsuspecting public.

    The public, concerned with Sars. mad cow disease, salmonella poisoning etc.must be warned of this cover-up. Why is the Govt. doing this? This plan will at best save about $24 million dollars over the first few years ( Gazette July20 ). What is the Government getting out of this cozying to the food industry? And why do they CONTINUE TO MAKE DECISIONS OF SUCH PUBLIC IMPORT, IN SECRET? 

   The Reform/ Conservative Govt. must become more transparent and stop its anti-democratic impulses. This is necessary if our democracy is to continue to grow and become more inclusive. This latest secret is dangerous and potentially disastrous.