By Ryan Hicks
Ottawa is considering a new online system that would allow consumers instant access to restaurant inspection records.
“The more enlightened approach if looking to better disclosure is web-based disclosure and that’s where we’re looking,” says Andy Roche, program manager at Ottawa Public Health.
In Toronto diners can go online and look up inspection reports by restaurant, but Ottawa lags behind when it comes to making this information available to the public.
To obtain an Ottawa restaurant inspection report diners have to call Ottawa Public Health with their inquiry.
An inspector will attempt to call back on the same day with the results and will provide a hard copy upon request.
But in an informal survey of 10 people in Centretown, only one knew it was possible to get restaurant inspection reports from Ottawa Public Health.
Inspection certificates are the main tool public health uses to inform the diners of this process, says Roche.
These certificates explain how to access inspection reports and the public health office asks restaurants to post them in the front of the restaurant.
Even though restaurants are not legally required to post the inspection certificate, Roche says most restaurants do.
“I have yet to encounter any of the food establishments that I’ve been involved with refusing,” says Roche. “We’ve had very good co-operation.”
However a visit to 20 restaurants along Bank and Elgin streets finds that only two have the certificate posted.
Of the restaurants that don’t post the inspection certificate many employees, managers or owners say they have never
seen the certificate before and they are unaware such a program exists.
Laura Coughlan, manager of The Standard Tavern on Elgin Street, says that in her 20-year career in the restaurant business she’s never even heard of such an inspection certificate.
“I’m sure we probably do. I just don’t know where. Maybe in the kitchen,” she says.
In a follow-up interview, Roche says that the fact that only two restaurants had the certificate posted is disappointing, but he’s not terribly surprised.
“This system has its limitations,” he says, adding that one of the reasons for the lack of posting may be they had to replace the certificates because of a phone number change.
Roche says the cost of a better online system is a big hurdle.
“These kinds of systems require pretty significant capital expenditures,” he says, adding such a system would cost more than $100,000.
Roche admits the public health office could do more to encourage restaurants to posting their inspection certificates.
“It could use a little more work on our part,” he says.
Rob Lindsay, a visitor to Ottawa from Metcalfe, Ontario, says he is unaware that he can access inspection reports over the phone, but says he would welcome online access to the reports.
“I’d click on that. It would be a lot more convenient,” says Lindsay.
Anthony’s on Elgin (formerly Ritz 3) is one of the two restaurants with the inspection certificate posted just inside the door in full view of hungry diners.
Owner Anthony Ford says he has no problem with the public having full access to his inspection reports.
“I’m all for it. I have nothing to hide,” he says.