SCROLL DOWN FOR UPDATES
Okay, so you know how usually, when the gallery sends out a revised media advisory and ITQ gets all excited, only to find that it was just to correct a spelling mistake or translation error? Well, it’s safe to say that isn’t the case here.
Below the jump, the two releases — original, and updated. See if you can spot the difference!
(Hint: You can. Seriously, you can’t miss it.)
Date: Mon, 20 Jul 2009 14:09:48 -0400
Subject: OTTAWA / JULY 21 JUILLET / 11:00
Statement to the Media
MESSAGE FROM THE INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATOR
July 20, 2009 (Ottawa) – Today, I submitted my final report on the August 2008 Listeriosis outbreak to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. This report concludes a six-month-long investigation into a tragedy that cost 22 Canadians their lives.
I was appointed by Prime Minister Harper in January 2009, to conduct an investigation into the outbreak and assess how well federal organizations and their food safety partners responded to the event. Ensuring the safety of our food supply is one of the government’s most important responsibilities and as the Independent Investigator, I felt a strong obligation to find out the circumstances and factors contributing to this preventable incident.
As part of my investigation, I interviewed key members of the industry as well as affected family members. I also met with experienced individuals from all levels of government – local, provincial and federal, to better understand how and why the outbreak occurred.
I have been able to conduct my investigation independently and impartially. There has been no interference from any party whatsoever. Overall my experience was positive in that people wanted to help and be part of the solution. All those who were asked to participate agreed to be interviewed and were open with their information and advice.
I received millions of pages of documentation to assist me in my investigation. In addition to my interviews, I was the recipient of more than 400 comments from Canadians who shared their views on the tragedy through the federal government’s website.
At the request of the Minister, I will publicly release my report tomorrow at a news conference. The report will also be posted to the Listeriosis Investigation website for public viewing at: http://www.listeriosis-listeriose.investigation-enquete.gc.ca/
Sheila Weatherill
Independent Investigator
And the updated version, which came out just a few minutes ago:
Please find enclosed the corrected version of the English statementStatement to the Media
*REVISED*
July 20, 2009 (Ottawa) – Today, I submitted my final report on the August 2008 Listeriosis outbreak to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. This report concludes a six-month-long investigation into a tragedy that cost 22 Canadians their lives.
I was appointed by the Prime Minister in January 2009, to conduct an investigation into the outbreak and assess how well federal organizations and their food safety partners responded to the event. Ensuring the safety of our food supply is one of the government’s most important responsibilities and as the Independent Investigator, I felt a strong obligation to find out the circumstances and factors contributing to this outbreak.
As part of my investigation, I interviewed or met 100 key individuals, including affected family members, representatives of industry, labour and officials from all levels of government.
The investigation received more than 400 comments from Canadians through the Investigation’s website and reviewed million of pages of documentation. The investigation also received the advice from a group of experts made up of respected Canadian and US food safety and public health advisors.
I will publicly release my report tomorrow at a news conference. The report will also be posted to the Listeriosis Investigation website for public viewing at: http://www.listeriosis-listeriose.investigation-enquete.gc.ca/
Sheila Weatherill
Independent Investigator
UPDATE: The Toronto Star’s Susan Delacourt has an explanation, courtesy of National Public Relations, the communications firm handling the release of the report:
Her spokesperson David Rodier of the outside firm National Public Relations said it was a “true statement” but was removed for “brevity”. He said she had planned to address the issue at the press conference tomorrow.
You know when the best time is to remove “true statements” for reasons of brevity? Before you send out your release to the entire press gallery. At that point, it would seem that the moment for re-reflection on wording had passed, and only a truly egregious error should be corrected.
