Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada/The Bell Tolls 20 Times: Dramatic Ad Campaign Launched as Listeriosis Death Toll Rises

Last update: 11:57 a.m. EDT Oct. 2, 2008

OTTAWA, ONTARIO, Oct 02, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) -- The Professional Institute
of the Public Service of Canada, the union that represents food scientists,
veterinarians and other federal government professionals is publishing dramatic
print advertisements that call attention to the listeriosis crisis and the federal
government's plans for further cuts to food inspection. The ads, which will run in
targeted communities across Canada, include an image of a bell with the caption "The
bell has tolled 19 times. When will we sound the alarm?" Sadly, one more casualty
has increased the death toll from 19 to 20, since the ad was prepared. 
"Polling data shows that Canadians want the federal government to reverse course on
its disastrous plans for food safety," says Michele Demers, President of the
Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada. "We are imploring all
Canadians to "sound the alarm" before a critical situation is made worse." 
A Nanos Research poll commissioned by the Institute concludes that more than 80% of
Canadians want to see cuts to food safety reversed and 56% want to see more
resources invested. The Institute is urging Canadians to seek commitments from
federal election candidates that they will stop the cuts and put an end to food
industry self-policing if they get to Ottawa. 
"If the cuts and the shift to self-policing are not reversed, the food scientists
and inspectors who have dedicated their professional lives to protecting Canadians
will be powerless: it is time to sound the alarm," concludes Demers.