Political reaction as news reports streamed in of the deadly contamination of meat products at a Toronto-based Maple Leaf Foods plant has been, predictably, uninspiring.

Instead of seizing the opportunity to demonstrate sensitivity and leadership skills, some of our elected officials in Ottawa have engaged in finger-pointing while others have practically patted themselves on the back.

In the weeks since the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) issued its first warning that Maple Leaf Foods products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes - a bacterium commonly found in soil, vegetation, animal feed and in human and animal feces - opportunism has ruled the day, with one notable exception. As news broke that a food-borne outbreak of listeria was responsible for multiple deaths, federal Liberal health critic Carolyn Bennett was quick to offer condolences to families affected and was just as swift to blame her Conservative opponents.

"My heart goes out to all those families affected by this terrible outbreak of listeriosis," she said in a news release, adding, "I'm sure that all officials involved are working their hardest to ensure the health and safety of Canadians, but this incident highlights the dangers of the Conservative decision to abandon key food inspections, and cut funding to critical food safety programming."

Meanwhile, Conservative Health Minister Tony Clement had the gall to suggest to an Ottawa news conference that the Maple Leaf Foods recall demonstrated the effectiveness of Canada's food safety systems. "The surveillance system picked up a problem that was occurring and allowed us to respond efficiently and effectively to an emerging public health issue," he said.

We doubt the loved ones of those Canadians whose lives were cut short by listeriosis - including two right here in Hamilton - would agree that the system that is supposed to prevent human illness from tainted food is a well-oiled machine.

Within days of the contaminated meat recall being linked to multiple deaths, several law firms swooped down with notices of class action suits on behalf of those who became ill from consuming the meat products and - in at least one case - those who only purchased the tainted meat.

Meanwhile, Maple Leaf Foods has publicly accepted blame for the listeria outbreak, apologized to all who have been harmed and extended sympathies to families who lost loved ones. We feel that they have done their best in what is ultimately a no-win situation.

When a health crisis of a national magnitude occurs, ordinary Canadians count on their leaders to provide a calming influence, creative solutions and assurances that measures will be taken to ensure it won't happen again. Instead, we've been fed an unhealthy dose of listeria hysteria, fueled by some who would view this tragedy as an opportunity for political - even financial - gain.

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Phones and cars don't mix

While inattentive drivers are unlikely to go the way of the dinosaur, the Ontario government will propose legislation this fall - Distracted Driver Legislation - that could see an outright ban on the use of electronics while driving.

PC MPP John O'Toole has been pushing such legislation for years through a series of private member's bills and it appears as if the Liberal government has been convinced it's time for such action, even though only months ago Premier Dalton McGuinty all but dismissed the potential for a cellphone ban.

More than 50 countries across the globe ban cellphone use in vehicles to some degree and three Canadian provinces - Quebec, Newfoundland and Nova Scotia - ban phone use, with fines ranging from $115 to $400. According to one US study, driver distraction was listed as a factor in 80 per cent of North American car crashes.

Getting behind the wheel of a vehicle carries a huge responsibility. It only takes a split second for an accident to happen, and any legislation that penalizes those who insist on fumbling with an iPod, cellphone or Blackberry instead of watching the road is a good step.

We're eager to see what transportation minister Jim Bradley comes up with this fall when he attempts to get drivers' eyes back on the road - where they belong.