QUEBEC - Health Minister Tony Clement says the Conservative government is ready to consider changes to how it responds to epidemic cases following an independent investigation into the listeriosis outbreak involving Maple Leaf Food products.
Clement says changes could be made following a meeting with his provincial counterparts in Quebec City today.
Questioned during a news conference about whether he's satisfied with the way the listeriosis crisis has been managed, Clement underlined the efficiency of the Public Health Agency of Canada and the provincial authorities in quickly detecting the origins of the outbreak.
However Clement is open to making changes depending on the outcome of an independent investigation ordered by Prime Minister Stephen Harper this week.
Harper has promised an independent investigation into the outbreak that resulted in the recall of more than 200 products.
There have been at least 13 deaths from the listeriosis outbreak strain linked to a Maple Leaf Foods meat plant in Toronto.
