Ritz Redux

This update is a short one. Contrary to what Mr. Harper would like to see, the public isn't going to sit down and shut up over the disgraceful comments made by Gerry Ritz. It's telling that when, last month, Minister Ritz was told that another person had died from the listeria outbreak, the very first words out of his mouth were not condolences, concern for the family, or worries about the safety of the food supply that he's responsible for. No, the first thing Mr. Ritz said was "Please tell me it's [Liberal Agriculture Critic] Wayne Easter." It's one thing to do your job, and then crack some bad jokes to blow off some steam. I've been in positions of responsibility before, and I've done that, and so do a lot of people, politicians included. I'm not suggesting for a moment that we fire them all. But when that dark humor comes first, when it comes before concern, when it comes before doing your job, it reveals how seriously you take you job, and Gerry Ritz doesn't take his seriously at all.

Now, a family member of one of the victims of this terrible tragedy has come forward. He very rightly expressed his outrage at Mr. Ritz's conduct, and I'm quite sure he's not alone in those sentiments. The union representing CFIA scientists has also weighed in, calling for his ouster. They say that he has "repeatedly disappointed" them in his handling of the crisis. Well, to the members of that union, let me tell them that they're not alone. Mr. Ritz has disappointed and disgusted all of us in the way that he has handled this crisis. His repeated efforts to undermine the CFIA have severely hampered its ability to keep our food supply safe, and worse still, Mr. Ritz still won't change course. How many more people will have to die before something is done?