Battlefords-Lloydminster MP Gerry Ritz took time to meet local constituents and officials, as well as eat some roast beef, in the Battlefords Monday.
Ritz, who serves as agriculture minister in the federal cabinet, was guest speaker at a luncheon hosted by the North Battleford Rotary Club at the Tropical Inn.
Perhaps not coincidentally, the item on the menu for that luncheon was roast beef. The menu item seemed somehow fitting, given the major issues Ritz has had on his plate in the past days with an E. coli scare and beef recall in progress at the XL Foods plant in Brooks, Alta.
The plant was ordered shut down last week, and the massive recall of meat products has impacted a wide range of retailers across the country.
Ritz, whose cabinet file includes the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, expressed confidence in the safety and quality of Canada's meat during his address to Rotary members and guests.
Ritz told the audience he had spent all of Sunday on the phone with XL Foods, working with the Americans, and working with public health at the provincial and federal level on the issue.
"Is there an epidemic of E. coli outbreaks? Turns out there's not," said Ritz. "We're actually 40 per cent lower than we were three years ago, which is great news, because we're doing more testing, better testing and industry has stepped up and is doing a much better job.
Ritz also acknowledged discussions with Tom Vilsack, the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, on the XL Foods situation.
"Tom and I had a 15-minute discussion as to how to handle the integrity of the whole system, because it is an integrated North American market," Ritz said.
In speaking to reporters Ritz said he was "absolutely" confident of the quality of Canadian beef.
"We had some great Canadian beef for lunch. I don't know where it came from; I don't care. I know it's good, I know it's safe. You have to handle it and cook it properly. Certainly, we've identified some anomalies in the XL plant, we've addressed those in the proper way based on science, based on international protocols and we'll continue to do that and work our way out of this."
The federal minister also defended the government against NDP claims in Question Period that there were no inspectors at the plant. Ritz told reporters that was not the case.
"There (were) 46 people dedicated to food safety under CFIA in that plant. That's a 20 per cent increase in the last three years," Ritz said.
While Ritz did not shy away from the beef recall issue in his address, he focused his remarks on his role as an MP in Ottawa, as well as issues facing agriculture.
Ritz told the audience his workday includes long hours that run upwards of 85 hours a week and says there is "never a dull day."
He expressed pride in the economic prosperity of Saskatchewan and credited industry with stepping up to make the province a player on the world stage.
"When I go to Japan, when I go to China, when I go to India, the European Union, Russia - they know about Saskatchewan," said Ritz.
The agriculture minister also defended the Stephen Harper government's policies against criticism from the Liberals and NDP.
He pointed to opposition pledges they would restore the Canadian Wheat Board single desk and reinstate the long-gun registry.
"So that means I'm going to be around for quite a while, guys, I hope you enjoy what I'm doing, because I am certainly proud to represent you," said Ritz.
Ritz did address recent media reports suggesting he incurred additional expenses by flying first class on executive trips.
Ritz acknowledged he flew first class on a "couple of occasions," but added he didn't book the trips and "a lot of times those types of trips are booked at the last minute.
"I will never apologize for representing my constituents," Ritz told the audience.
"Sometimes we do overpay. Absolutely. But at the end of the day we're hopeful that it works out, in that the job I was able to do at the other end offsets or helps mitigate some of those costs."
Ritz also said he doesn't use a government limousine, but a Chevy Impala, which is also used for frequent travel to Quebec and Ontario instead of taking the plane.
The luncheon was part of a busy day for Ritz in the Battlefords. In the morning he attended a city hall press conference with Mayor Ian Hamilton where the city of North Battleford formally acknowledged the federal government's commitment of $5.3 million in federal infrastructure money to the city.
According to the city's news release, North Battleford has already received $3.3 million of that New Deal Federal Gas Tax Program money for seven capital projects in the past six years. This has funded upgrades to the bulk water distribution system, water and sewer main replacements, three street rehabilitations and as part of "green friendly enchancements" for the new $56 million Credit Union CUPlex project. Another $2 million in infrastructure funding is expected from the Federal Gas Tax Program over the next two years.
"We have benefited greatly from the $3.3 million that we have received over the past six years," Hamilton told Ritz at City Hall.
"Continuation of such predictable, determinable and sustainable funding streams assists the municipalities in capital planning and financing. We thank you for partnering with us in our continuing efforts to provide a quality of life in our community second to none in the nation."
Ritz then made his way to Battleford for ceremonies at the water treatment plant there, before making his way to the Tropical Inn event.
Also on the agenda for Ritz were plans to go before the federal Electoral Boundaries Commission hearings in North Battleford Tuesday morning.
Ritz indicated to reporters he was concerned with changes being proposed not only to his own riding (which would see the southern portion around Kindersley removed while adding an eastern portion that extends to Rosthern), but also to others across the province.
He defended the current urban-rural ridings in the province, saying "it's that blended mix that make for a stronger MP."
