Where is the unintentionally funny and still, inexplicably, Minister of Agriculture in Canada, Gerry-death-by-a-1,000-cold-cuts-and-isn’t-my-moustache-awesome Ritz as the latest listeria outbreak unfolds in Canada. He was front and center last time. How about the Canadian Food Inspection Agency? What about the Public Health Agency of Canada or Health Canada?

The Public Health Agency of Canada could not immediately say whether any listeriosis cases in other jurisdictions are under investigation for a link to Siena meats.

Can’t say or won’t say? It’s OK, you can tell me, I’m a doctor.

Canwest News Service reports that the Canadian province of Ontario is left to poke around the latest listeria mess and will now be investigating five listeria deaths for

connections to Siena Meats.

Spokesman Andrew Morrison said the deaths are not linked to two previously recalled meat products from Siena Foods Ltd. which were matched, through a genetic fingerprint, to two non-fatal listeriosis cases in the province, adding,

“It’s important to note that those new products they recalled have a different genetic fingerprint than the first two. Regarding these newly recalled products, Ontario’s investigation is underway to determine any linkages to that.”

A string of reviews into the Maple Leaf listeriosis outbreak showed major gaps in the oversight of Canada’s food system and co-ordination problems with public health officials, including a report by independent investigatory Sheila Weatherill.

In her final report released last July, Weatherill — appointed by the federal government — zeroed in on a “vacuum in senior leadership” among government officials at the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency that caused “confusion and weak decision-making.”

She also called on PHAC to take the communications lead during foodborne illness outbreaks.

Which is why it is notable the apparently poorly named Public Health Agency of Canada has once again zoned out during an outbreak.