Canada Sunflashes

Last Updated: 6th November 2008, 4:34am

MAPLE LEAF GETS INSPECTOR

Maple Leaf Foods has appointed a chief food safety officer, a first for the company and potentially the industry, as the company tries to recover from a deadly Listeria outbreak.

Bacteria from a Maple Leaf plant in Toronto was linked to the deaths of 20 people in a nationwide outbreak. Randall Huffman, currently president of the american Meat Institute, will be responsible for leading Maple Leaf’s food safety and quality programs across the country beginning Jan. 5.

OTTAWA — An outcry from former peacekeepers and families of slain soldiers has prompted Canada’s Defence Department to review the eligibility rules for the newly created Sacrifice Medal.

A ceremony to honour the first recipients has been postponed from its scheduled date of Nov. 12 while the review takes place, Gov.-Gen Michelle Jean said.

The decision to review the criteria comes after a public backlash on behalf of those soldiers who were excluded: peacekeepers from the pre-2001 era and families of soldiers killed accidentally in Afghanistan.

JUDGE SEEKS TRUTH

OTTAWA — The former Supreme Court judge who helped craft a historic compensation deal for abuse in native schools will try to salvage the truth commission at its heart. Frank Iacobucci will act as facilitator when lawyers and representatives for all parties meet in Toronto Friday to discuss next steps. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission was thrown into chaos last month when Justice Harry LaForme suddenly quit as its head.

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