On April 19, the federal Liberal government released its first budget since 2019. FBC-ABC was pleased to see the following initiatives that will support Canada’s food and beverage manufacturing sector:
• The New Canada Digital Adoption Program to support SMEs to digitize and take advantage of e-commerce opportunities, with a special program to support small manufacturing and food processing operations with tech planning advisory expertise and financing.
• Innovation and Industrial Transformation support through $2.2B over 7 years for innovative projects including in automotive, aerospace and agriculture sectors to:
– Help achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and support economic transformation.
– Support sector recovery and sustainable growth.
– Build domestic resilience and improve long-term pandemic preparedness.
– Promote growth and the creation of good jobs across the Canadian economy.
• The New Apprenticeship Service to help 55,000 first-year apprentices in construction and manufacturing Red Seal trades connect with SMEs. Employers will receive up to $5,000 for upfront salary and training costs for first-year apprentices.
• Accelerated Pathways to Permanent Residence starting May 6, 2021 for 30,000 temporary workers in essential occupations– including workers in the skilled trades, transport truck drivers, machine operators and related workers in food and beverage processing.
• Funding to renew Canada’s External Advisory Committee on Regulatory Competitiveness and to continue targeted regulatory reviews in order to maintain momentum on strengthening Canada’s regulatory system.
All of the above are welcome initiatives that will help support Canada’s food and beverage manufacturers and provide tools and resources to help them innovate. We look forward to hearing more details about these programs and how Canada’s small and medium sized food and beverage manufactures can take advantage of these initiatives.