Another Conservative Makes the Mistake of Talking Out Loud

Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz is under pressure to resign tonight because of comments he made about the listeriosis outbreak that has killed 17 people across Canada. While on a conference call with about 30 people including communications staff from the prime minister's office, Health Minister Tony Clement's policy and communications advisers and senior public servants, Ritz joked offhandedly about the deaths.

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

Ritz apparently also commented that "This is like a death by a thousand cuts. Or should I say cold cuts." Also not helping the case is a Canadian Mediacal Assotiation editorial out today that slammed the Government's whole approach to public health.

"The Canadian Medical Association Journal released an editorial Tuesday that slammed the federal government for its handling of the outbreak, saying Harper's Conservative government has reversed much of the progress previous governments made in relation to public health."

It is not surprising that, given that the Conservatives apparently regard public health (and death) as material for a amateur hour stand up routine that their policies in this area haven't worked out. So far NDP Leader Jack Layton and (unsurprisingly) Liberal MP Wayne Easter are calling for Ritz resignation.