For release: December 1, 2003

MCGUINTY GOVERNMENT TO HIRE MORE
FULL-TIME MEAT INSPECTORS

TORONTO - The McGuinty government will follow through on its commitment to deliver real, positive change to Ontario by hiring more full-time meat inspectors, Minister of Agriculture and Food Steve Peters announced today.

"The government said it needed more full-time meat inspectors to protect the health and safety of our families, and we are moving quickly," Peters said. "Hiring expert personnel that can deliver high quality inspection services and bolster consumer confidence in Ontario meat products is a priority and will address public concerns over meat safety."

By the Spring of 2004, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food intends to hire 61 more full-time and 57 part-time meat inspectors. With 10 full-time inspectors already on board, this means that there will be a total of 128 meat inspectors working as Ministry employees.

Most meat inspectors had been public service employees until 1997, when measures by the government of the day resulted in contracting out virtually all inspection services. A mediated settlement last week will mean meat inspectors will again become part of the Ontario Public Service.

"Last month the government began working with OPSEU to resolve a long-standing dispute on the delivery of meat inspection services. In less than two weeks we had an agreement," Peters said. "Now I have asked ministry staff to make implementation of this settlement a priority."

Contacts:
Adele Pelland
Communications Branch
(416) 326-3029

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