[Pocketfisherman]

This was my fear, here we go again more cowboys. If he said it toast him!

Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz unnerved some public servants at the height of the listeriosis crisis by resorting to gallows humour during a conference call about the public health scare that has now killed 17 people.

Ritz was also deeply concerned about the political fallout from the listeriosis crisis as the deadly foodborne disease claimed more victims in the days before the federal election was called, according to sources present during the crisis call last month.

But that concern apparently didn't stop Ritz from cracking wise while scientists, bureaucrats and political staff listened in on the call Aug. 30.

Sources who took notes during the call said Ritz fretted about the political dangers of the crisis, before quipping: "This is like a death by a thousand cuts. Or should I say cold cuts."

The outbreak has been linked to deli meats processed at a Maple Leaf Foods plant in Toronto.

When told about a new death in Prince Edward Island, Ritz said: "Please tell me it's [Liberal MP] Wayne Easter."

Easter is the Liberal critic shadowing Ritz's agriculture department.

About 30 people participated in the Sunday morning conference call that began after 10 a.m. ET. Participants included scientists, senior bureaucrats and political staff.

Others on the call included communications staff from the prime minister's office, most of Ritz's staff, Health Minister Tony Clement's policy and communications advisers and senior public servants, including deputy health minister Morris Rosenberg.

Officials from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency provided updates on the disease during the conversation.

Ritz gives reporters brush-off at Ottawa airport
The sources who spoke to the Canadian Press did so on the condition of anonymity. Prime Minister Stephen Harper's Conservative government has been relentless in searching for and punishing anyone thought to have provided embarrassing information to reporters.

The Canadian Press asked Ritz at the Ottawa airport Wednesday afternoon about his comments after his flight touched down from Saskatoon.

A bearded man with Ritz jostled with journalists as the agriculture minister beelined it through the terminal to a waiting sedan. At one point, the man grabbed a reporter's recorder and jabbed at the off button.

For two minutes, Ritz stared dead ahead as he was peppered with questions about the conference call. His only words were clipped.

"Not right now, guys," he said.

Then: "Get out of my face, please."

Later, Ritz e-mailed an apology that he intended to deliver publicly in suburban Ottawa.

"It was a highly stressful time," he said in prepared remarks.

"Many people were working countless hours and attending countless meetings to keep on top of the situation. In that context, I made a couple of spur of moment, offhand comments. In particular, one about my official opposition critic, whom I have already called to apologize.

"My comments were tasteless and completely inappropriate. I apologize unreservedly."

The listeria bacterium can cause listeriosis, a foodborne illness that causes high fever, headache, neck stiffness and nausea and is of particular concern to the elderly, pregnant women and the infirm.

A spokesman for Harper said Ritz's remarks were beyond the pale.

"It was clearly inappropriate," said Kory Teneycke. "It was intended as a joke, but some things are not appropriate to joke about."

He also said Ritz had called Wayne Easter to offer a personal apology.

The outbreak has resulted in the recall of close to 200 meat products. There have been 14 deaths in Ontario, and one each in British Columbia, Alberta and New Brunswick.

The conversation on Aug. 30 began with talk of the mounting death toll and trends in the spread of the disease.

Sources say Ritz began the call by asking: "Are there any more bombs out there?" — implying any politically damaging news.

But discussion soon shifted to communications and how best to frame the government's message.

The plant, where the listeria bacterium was found embedded deep inside slicing equipment, was closed Aug. 20 and reopened Wednesday.

Production resumed for a phased-in period, and tests will be done before any food is released to public, said Maple Leaf Foods CEO Michael McCain

[Cool Blue]

Ha! That's pretty funny actually. People need to lighten up.

[Pocketfisherman]

Ah not really, a conference call full of scientists and ministry workers and bureaucrats and you can't have the good sense to treat the situation with the seriousness it deserves.

Time for PMSH to make a move here the MSM will have a field day. MSM already starting as I type.

[Cool Blue]

My hunch is that nobody besides the MSM and opposition parties will care.

[mrsocko]

[Northern Ontario Tory]

This is yet another example that a Conservative politician must ALWAYS be extremely careful about what he/she says or does in sight / hearing of the general public. Every thing they do and say is carefully scrutinized for <choke> "typical conservative meanness, blah, blah blah, etc, etc, etc"

Isn't it interesting that the various left-of-center parties can make policy announcements and media releases following the many tragic shootings in Toronto, or much later as with the Dawson College incident, and the media doesn't bat an eye........it's okay for them!

But when a Conservative does something like that (even if it was a stupid thing to say), the media and leftists jump all over it as making light of a tragedy and personal loss. No matter what you think, Harper has made the correct choice by very promptly apologizing (as well as the offending party) and the firestorm subsides ..... trying to explain, ignore, or debate the issue will only prolong the misery (think Garth Turner )

[Pocketfisherman]

Well said, my thoughts exactly but you said it better.

This election is more important than 2006, we are in a fight for the future of Canada. We can't loose this because of immature ministers! PMSH time to crack the whip and kick some ass.

[Craig]

These sorts of things hurt because at least 50% of the population are spineless lemmings. If the media portrays it as bad then they will think it is bad.

[Joahob]

And at least 50% would admit they just as easily could have made a similar joke. And the other 50% are liars (as well as spineless lemmings).

[paisley_cross]

Foot-in-mouth disease is endemic in politics and we have had a rash of it over the last 12 days. And we have had two candidates resign as well because of embarrassing events in their past.

Ritz's transgression is hardly the worst, he has apologized to Easter, and in spite of CTV treating it as a bigger story than the financial crisis, it will blow over.

It won't be a factor in people voting.

[Simba]

Jokes about death are not usually made at funeral parlours. And public apologies are depreciated currency. This was a joke about the food industry made by a minister in a "transparent" government which is making changes behind the scenes to the inspection of that same industry. An apology doesn't cover the situation, though it may help to cover it up.
Simba

[Mike McB]

This was definitely a tasteless joke and really stupid to make before an election. The MSM is all over this and I am sure some are jumping are joy because it was actually made.

I am curious why CTVglobemedia and The Star did not report the comments from Simon Bedard who said that Lethal force should have been used against the Mohawks during the OKA crisis.. I would consider that alot worse but not a mention of it anywhere in those unbiased Media organizations.

[kwlafayette]

I don't get why people expect more of politicians. If people are stupid, and need to be ruled by "their betters", and their betters are simply drawn from the pool of available stupid people....


Come one, admit it, what he said was funny. Things are funny, for the most part, BECAUSE they are inappropriate, and offensive to some or most people. When was the last time you laughed at a nice polite comedian?

[goward4u]

The CPC has jumped the shark. Harper is going down over this, guaranteed.

Can you say, " Prime Minister Dion?"

[paisley_cross]