But while the government is open to a chat with representatives of sushi chefs, it is sticking to its guns where the "risks" of eating sushi are concerned. Health Minister George Smitherman says the scientific evidence supports the action his government has taken. The government was also aggressive in communicating that evidence yesterday.

As the Globe and Mail reports, about 50-million people become ill worldwide from the consumption of raw fish and in Japan there are an average of 1000 cases of parasite-triggered illness each year. It is not clear from the government's numbers, however, how much of this can be accounted for by professionally produced sushi and how much comes from other sources.

The problem for the government, though, is two-fold. It should have told Ontarians about its evidence as soon as this became an issue, not four days later - the ill-will may be too much to overcome now. It should also have consulted with the people most effected by the change - purveyors of sushi who may lose their businesses and livelihoods as a result of the change. This latter transgression is unforgivable.