During 1985-2005, a total of 91 laboratory-confirmed outbreaks of foodborne 
botulism occurred in Canada; these outbreaks involved 205 cases and 11 deaths. 
Of the outbreaks, 75 (86.2%) were caused by Clostridium botulinum type E, 
followed by types A (7, 8.1%) and B (5, 5.7%). Approximately 85% of the 
outbreaks occurred in Alaska Native communities, particularly the Inuit of 
Nunavik in northern Quebec and the First Nations population of the Pacific coast 
of British Columbia. These populations were predominantly exposed to type E 
botulinum toxin through the consumption of traditionally prepared marine mammal 
and fish products. Two botulism outbreaks were attributed to commercial 
ready-to-eat meat products and 3 to foods served in restaurants; several cases 
were attributed to non-Native home-prepared foods. Three affected pregnant women 
delivered healthy infants. Improvements in botulism case identification and 
early treatment have resulted in a reduction in the case-fatality rate in 
Canada.