The recent shipment of body bags to a remote First Nations community in Northern Manitoba provoked high-stakes media drama and a public relations disaster for Health Canada.
Aboriginal leaders were outraged when 3o or more body bags arrived on their doorstep, seemingly in preparation for a resurgence of the H1N1 outbreak this Autumn. Condemned by politicians of all stripes as unacceptable and insensitive, Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq ordered an immediate investigation of the matter. Twenty-four hours later, a Health Canada official fell on his sword, taking responsibility for an overzealous approach to a routine restocking of supplies.