Update: On Mike Duffy live a family touched by the listeriosis contamination at Maple Leaf foods weighs in on Ritz, saying they don't feel a man like Ritz is capable of looking after Canadians. Asked by Duffy if Ritz should be fired, Lionel Avon's wife Leona responds without hesitation "Yes I do".

Ritz's cracker crumbles: Our Agriculture Minister, the Conservative MP Gerry Ritz gets notoriety for insulting the families who have had loved ones get sick and die due to listeriosis contamination in our food system. Seventeen deaths have so far been attributed to the outbreak.

This is like a death by a thousand cuts. Or should I say cold cuts. Conservative Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz

Ritz should be fired for his insulting and callous treatment of the issue, as its clear he was more worried about how the deaths would affect the upcoming Conservative election campaign than he was worried about people dying from eating compromised food ("Are there any more bombs out there?" - Ritz).

Ritz should also be under the spotlight for following in former ag minister Chuck Strahl's shoes as both have been relentlessly attacking through undemocratic means the Canadian Wheat Board.

From bombs to bongs, the NDP have a dreadful day when the story breaks that Dana Larsen, their candidate for West-Vancouver Sunshine Coast, can be seen on video smoking marijuana and doing LSD and DMT. And driving under the influence.

The debate over legalization of marijuana is a legitimate one, but the reality of the day is that it, as well as LSD and DMT, are controlled substances and what their now former candidate was doing is patently illegal.

I'm starting to hallucinate a bit and that's kind of fun dropped NDP candidate Dana Larsen

Layton doesn't do himself any favours in his handling of the case. Its the leader who ultimately is responsible for the nomination of each candidate yet Layton refused to accept his responsibility and passed the buck stating "He's obviously taken the decision that he's not a suitable candidate and we accepted that". Larsen, who formerly ran for the Marijuana Party, is not a credible mainstream candidate for a party whose leader has aspirations of being Prime Minister one day.

Die hard Dippers might not like this but if they want to be taken seriously as a party they should not be promoting candidates that willingly break the law not to mention show little display of common sense. You want to remain a protest party forever? Then stay on this track. Can't find anyone better to run in an un-winnable riding? Then don't run one at all.

I happen to think there are quite a few excellent NDP MP's and candidates who are quite prepared to work within the system as it is in order to change the system. Nominating a self-admitted criminal demeans the efforts of the rest of your team.