OTTAWA - A parliamentary probe is split over its investigation into last summer's deadly listeriosis crisis.
The House of Commons sub-committee tabled two dissenting reports Thursday, with opposition MPs calling for a public inquiry into the outbreak and greater autonomy for the Public Health Agency of Canada.
Other recommendations from the three opposition parties include working more closely with the United States on food-safety standards, publishing inspection reports and ensuring food inspectors have adequate resources and training.
The smaller number of Conservative MPs on the panel made no mention of a public inquiry in their report.
The Tories say they will await the findings of an independent investigator appointed by Prime Minister Stephen Harper to probe the outbreak.
Investigator Sheila Weatherill must report to Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz by July 20. That's four months past the original March 15 deadline set when Harper promised an "arm's-length" investigation last September.
The Conservatives say they released a dissenting report because "our members believe that the main report does not sufficiently, accurately and-or fairly address certain issues."
The parliamentary sub-committee heard dozens of witnesses from industry, government and academia over the last two months.
Twenty-two people died and hundreds more fell ill after eating contaminated deli meats from a Maple Leaf Foods plant in Toronto.
The company apologized and agreed to pay up to $27 million to settle class-action lawsuits.
Maple Leaf has since instituted more rigorous testing for Listeria in plants producing ready-to-eat meat.
