Inspectors from York Region are responsible for making sure the food we eat won’t harm us. They are the unsung heroes, policing restaurants and fast food joints on our behalf.

In Newmarket, so much of the public discourse is polarised around the (false) premise: private sector good: public sector bad.

Only simpletons are fooled by such talk.

We need efficient and effective public services and we should be prepared to pay for them. 

I’ve just checked out a number of places where I dine out from time to time. And there’s one I definitely won’t be going back to. Others keep on the right side of the food inspectors - just. A few have impeccable records. They’ll get my business.

The green Inspection Notices on restaurant windows and doors tell only half the story.

You can dig deeper by visiting York Region’s Food Safe website. Type in the name of the restaurant and it pops up as a pin on the map. Click on the pin and read the inspection reports and prepare to have your eyes opened.

You can also lodge a complaint against a restaurant or other food premises by calling Health Connection: 1-800-361-5653 or TTY 1-866-252-9933 or emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Restaurants that pose an immediate health hazard are closed down. The fact that this doesn’t happen very often is due, in large measure, to the work of our food safety people.

Case made.

Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.