As readers of CanadianCrossing.com know, Stephen Harper has won a majority government and will remain as Canada's prime minister.
And you might remember that we wrote about how each Canadian political party had a food strategy as part of its platform.
The Canadian Medical Association Journal isn't impressed with the status quo on food safety in a recent editorial: "Food in Canada: Eat at your own risk."
During the election campaign, the Liberal Party was the loudest on the topic. The Liberals finished third, a new low in the history of the party. The NDP, the new official opposition party, is also active on the topic.
While the Conservative government pledged to spend an extra $100 million over five years to improve food inspection — before Parliament was dissolved — the Conservatives' food strategy was the weakest of the five parties, and won't have much incentive to do much beyond that, provided the $100 million goes into the new budget.
NDP leader Jack Layton will have to be the point man on bringing attention to a food strategy. Michael Ignatieff, who was passionate on the topic as the Liberal Party leader, will be looking for a job, so maybe he can devote some time as a private citizen toward encouraging a nationwide food strategy.
Then, they can export the ideas to the United States.
Comments