Government's food program provides safety

Re: “Richards putting residents’ health at risk,” May 4

Dear Editor,

Our Conservative government is committed to ensuring Canada’s food safety system provides consumers with the protection they expect and deserve.

The opposition has shamefully made claims that decisions made in Budget 2012 – and to the (Canadian Food Inspection) Agency’s (CFIA) overall modernization agenda – are intended to reduce Canada’s investment in food safety or somehow diminish the Agency’s role in it. This is completely and utterly false.

As we all know, the risks associated with the food supply are constantly evolving, and the changes being made by the CFIA will allow the Agency to focus its resources where they are needed most. The CFIA has not and will not reduce staff or cut programs that would in any way put the health and safety of Canadians at risk.

The Agency will continue to verify truth in labelling. As CFIA president George Da Point said, “This is carried out in many ways: through investigations into complaints, facility inspections, inspections at the retail level and laboratory testing of products, including verification of the nutrient content or calories in the food at manufacturers, importers and retailers.”

Our government is also continuing to take steps to improve our food safety system.

In Budget 2012, we committed $51.2 million over two years for CFIA, Public Health Agency of Canada and Health Canada to continue enhanced surveillance, early detection and improved response capabilities to food-borne illness emergencies.

Canadian families can be assured that food safety will not be affected as we regularly review program spending. Our government has and will continue to make the safety and security of Canadians a top priority.

Blake Richards, Wild Rose MP