In the weeks since the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) issued its first warning that Maple Leaf Foods products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes –a bacterium commonly found in soil, vegetation, animal feed, and in human and animal feces – opportunism has ruled the day, with one notable exception. As news broke that a food-borne outbreak of listeria was responsible for multiple deaths, federal Liberal health critic Carolyn Bennett was quick to offer condolences to families affected and was just as swift to blame her Conservative opponents.

“My heart goes out to all those families affected by this terrible outbreak of listeriosis,” she said in a news release, adding “I’m sure that all officials involved are working their hardest to ensure the health and safety of Canadians, but this incident highlights the dangers of the Conservative decision to abandon key food inspections, and cut funding to critical food safety programming.” Meanwhile, Conservative Health Minister Tony Clement had the gall to suggest at a news conference that the Maple Leaf Foods recall demonstrated the effectiveness of Canada’s food safety systems. We doubt the loved ones of those whose lives were cut short by listeriosis would agree that the system that is supposed to prevent illness from tainted food is a well-oiled machine.

The timing of Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s vow to mount an intensive investigation into the outbreak –during a feel-good stop at a Windsor Ford plant this week –also struck a sour chord. With election rumours buzzing, the move could be cynically misinterpreted as a pre-emptive strike to ensure the issue doesn’t dog the Tories on the election trail.

Within days of the contaminated meat recall being linked to multiple deaths, several law firms swooped down with notices of class action suits on behalf of those who became ill from consuming the meat products and –in at least one case –those who only purchased the tainted meat. Meanwhile, Maple Leaf Foods has publicly accepted blame for the listeria outbreak, apologized to all who have been harmed and extended sympathies to families who lost loved ones. We feel that they have done their best in what is ultimately a no-win situation.

When a health crisis of a national magnitude occurs, Canadians count on their leaders to provide a calming influence, creative solutions and assurances that measures will be taken to ensure it won’t happen again. Instead, we’ve been fed an unhealthy dose of listeria hysteria, fueled by some who would view this tragedy as an opportunity for political –even financial –gain.