Federal union says Canadian Food Inspection Agency cuts could harm consumers

A federal union says plans to eliminate hundreds of jobs at the agency will have consequences for consumers. CTV’s Natalie van Rooy reports.

A federal union set up a table just metres away from Parliament Hill with commonly recalled food to sound the alarm about planned cuts to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

Last month the CFIA confirmed a plan to eliminate nearly 600 jobs. The federal union behind the display, the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada, says that today’s demonstration was meant to raise awareness about what the cuts could mean for consumers.

“We’re just demonstrating to Canadians here today of the importance of public services, specifically the work that’s done at the CFIA to make sure that the food that Canadians eat is safe,” said Sean O’Reilly, president of PIPSC.

Each food item on the table was carefully selected and the display included meat, pistachios and romaine lettuce.

“You look at romaine lettuce, there’s been many issues with romaine lettuce over the years and with our food inspectors, they made sure that the lettuce was treated properly,” said O’Reilly.

The CFIA oversees things such as recalls and food safety. As part of the federal government’s public service cuts, 587 positions will be eliminated at the agency.

“My concern is that it’s not only going to be people losing a job, it’s going to be introducing a risk for everyone that’s eating everything,” said Stéphanie Fréchette, a Canadian Food Inspection Agency employee and the vice president of PIPSC.

In a statement to CTV News, the CFIA confirms it remains focused on protecting food safety, managing risks related to animal and plant health, and using evidence and rigorous science. The agency says that despite the cuts, $30 million is being reinvested in the agency, primarily to strengthen food safety inspection and frontline services.

But for those seated at the table with the commonly recalled food, there’s still concern for the future.

“When everything’s going well, like when the job is done, it’s something that’s going on in the background,” said Fréchette. “But if we don’t do the job, more people will get sick and even people can die.”

At today’s display, PIPSC union reps acknowledged that Canada issues hundreds of food recalls annually and most are detected early and contained quickly because of the scientists and trained inspectors.

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