Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In answering questions that I heard earlier to the Minister of Health and Social Services, she said that part of this public health notice that went out just after one o’clock today said all ground beef products at the Yellowknife Co-op. She had mentioned the fact that there could be some cross-contamination on the processing but, Mr. Speaker, I am at a little bit of a loss because that ground beef product comes in pre-packaged packages. It is not mixed in with any of the other ground beef products, which would lead me to believe, Mr. Speaker, that the department did not call the retailer. If they called the retailer, they might have figured that out, Mr. Speaker. Will the Minister just tell me when the department or when the office of the chief medical officer talked to the retailer? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 334-16(3): Process In Responding To Health Hazard Alert Regarding Contaminated Meat
In the Legislative Assembly on March 12th, 2009. See this topic in context.
Question 334-16(3): Process In Responding To Health Hazard Alert Regarding Contaminated Meat
Oral Questions (Reversion)
Question 334-16(3): Process In Responding To Health Hazard Alert Regarding Contaminated Meat
Oral Questions (Reversion)
March 11th, 2009
Question 334-16(3): Process In Responding To Health Hazard Alert Regarding Contaminated Meat
Oral Questions (Reversion)
Sandy Lee Range Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My information is that the public health officer works with the environmental health officer and the environmental health officer is working with the Co-op on this. I will get back to the Member on the details. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 334-16(3): Process In Responding To Health Hazard Alert Regarding Contaminated Meat
Oral Questions (Reversion)
David Ramsay Kam Lake
Mr. Speaker, I agree with my colleague from Weledeh, Mr. Bromley. We shouldn’t be out there scaring the public and recalling all of this beef if that is not necessarily the case. If that is not the case, what this press release that the Department of Health and Social Services has sent out is going to scare the daylights of our public, it is just not true. That was pre-packaged beef. It was one product. Why don’t we do our homework before we send out a press release, Mr. Speaker? Thank you.
Question 334-16(3): Process In Responding To Health Hazard Alert Regarding Contaminated Meat
Oral Questions (Reversion)
Sandy Lee Range Lake
I have already committed to Member Bromley that I will review this process and get more detailed information. Mr. Speaker, I think it is really important to note that the public health officer on their legislation have vast powers and authority and so does the environmental health officer. They make the calls and they make the decisions. For now, the focus is on protecting the public and making sure that all necessary precautions are taken. I will commit to review the process and see if there is any room for tightening the process. I think it is really important to know that we need to make sure that our independent officials do their job first and that their foremost and first priority is to protect the public. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 334-16(3): Process In Responding To Health Hazard Alert Regarding Contaminated Meat
Oral Questions (Reversion)