It's Official: Leona Aglukkaq: Worst Health Minister Ever!

Minister of Health?

Ever wonder what it would be like to have Grimace or even Ronald McDonald for a Minister of Health? Well folks, fantasy is fast becoming reality in Canada McDonaldland. 


When discussing the pressing issue of trans fats, health minister Leona Aglukkaq stated "I have instructed my department to continue its engagement with stakeholders to identify the challenges and how best to overcome them without adding a regulatory burden."


Aglukkaq continues: "Our government continues to make prevention and health promotion a priority — that includes reducing trans fats in foods."


It's a wonder that anyone in this country could make an informed choice when it comes to their food with anything goes labeling and poor safety standards.


Canada already has much higher levels of sodium in packaged foods compared to the same products in other countries, making the above statement regarding 
working with the industry laughable.


What makes this whole situation even more outrageous is that in 2009 the Conservative government drafted legislation to regulate the very industry that Aglukkaq does not want to burden. Some statistics produced in the draft indicated that 90% of adults and near 100% of children exceeded a recommended intake of trans fat and reducing trans fat intake could save up to $9 billion dollars in health care related costs.


What could have created such a 180 degree shift? With the advent of a majority conservative government, is it possible that the ruling party is more accountable to "stakeholders" and not citizens? It's clear where health minister Aglukkaq's priorities lie.


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