Cutting back on food safety has risks

There are some things you just can’t — or shouldn’t — cheap out on.

Unfortunately, governments often fail to feel the same way.

The Agriculture Union is voicing its concerns following news that staff at the Canada Food Inspection Agency have been told 1,371 agency jobs — about one-fifth of its workforce — are about to be cut, as part of a federal cost-cutting initiative. Ottawa is looking to cut approximately $60 billion in programs and administrative costs over the next five years, which includes cutting public service jobs by 40,000.

Some of these cuts are not so disagreeable; for example, a 20 per cent cut in spending on “management and consulting services” per the Canadian Press, can probably be managed without much pain.

But some federal agencies are worth provisioning well. The CFIA has already eliminated other positions in the past few years. A functioning agency dedicated to ensuring the food Canadians buy and eat is safe is paramount; what’s more, the need for such an agency is only growing.

Milton Dyck, the union’s national president, points out that “food recalls increased by 150 (per cent) over the last decade. You can do math, and it doesn’t look good. Food safety experts have been warning us that CFIA can’t take any more hits, but the government isn’t listening.”

Just one month into 2026, the federal government has already issued a raft of recall notices. For example, on Wednesday it issued a recall for Dan-D Pak raw macademia nuts over a salmonella concern; the day before, there was a recall on Gerber arrowroot cookies over the possible presence of plastic and paper; certain Pizza Pops were recalled due to E. coli; on Jan. 19, Tasty brand Bavarian custard filling was recalled due to mould.

These are only a few examples of the roughly 20 recall notices issued just as of Thursday, thanks to the work of an already stretched-thin CFIA.

And they aren’t the only federal agency on the chopping block. The Public Service Alliance of Canada issued a release Wednesday calling on the government to reverse course on its cuts, which stand to cost 8,000 workers their jobs in at departments such as Health Canada, Employment and Social Development Canada, and Global Affairs Canada, among others.

“People are scared. They’re stressed. They’re wondering if they’ll still have a job in a few months. No one should have to live with that kind of uncertainty,” said PSAC national executive vice-president Alex Silas.

Indeed. What’s more, Canadians should not have to tolerate the reduced quality of service and safety which follows when thousands of health workers, food inspectors and other federal workers find themselves out of a job in the name of cost-cutting.

Prime Minister Mark Carney has, rightly, received much praise for his powerful words on the “rupture” of the old international order and the need for “middle powers” such as Canada to step forward and exert their power well in this uncertain new age. He also talks a big game about nation-building projects to create a better Canada.

It is difficult, however, to see how Canada can accomplish all that if it hollows out government departments which do work as important as ensuring our foods aren’t contaminated with bacteria and disease, or caring for the sick.

If Carney and his government wish to build Canada up, they won’t accomplish it by undermining the essential services Canadians need. Lofty talk of nation-bulding will not be realized by yet more austerity and less less benefit to taxpayers.

The prime minister has proven he can talk the talk about building a country in which Canadians can be proud, safe and comfortable. He must also show that he can walk the walk.