Author: Susan Emon

Delivered to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food on Tuesday, June 16, 2026: Thank you to the Committee for the invitation to appear today. My name is Kristina Farrell and I am the Chief Executive Officer of Food and Beverage Canada, the national association representing Canada’s food and beverage manufacturers.  Our industry is Canada’s largest…

Food and Beverage Canada recognizes the federal government’s release of the National Food Security Strategy and its focus on improving access to local food.  While the Strategy contains measures to support agricultural production and food distribution, it does not fully reflect the level of ambition needed to significantly expand domestic processing capacity and create more value from Canadian agriculture….

Ottawa, ON – May 19, 2026 – Food and Beverage Canada (FBC-ABC) has submitted its recommendations to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance as part of the 2026 pre-budget consultations, calling on the federal government to take targeted action to strengthen domestic food production, improve competitiveness, and addressing rising food costs.   Representing Canada’s largest manufacturing…

Ottawa – May 6, 2026 – Food and Beverage Canada (FBC-ABC) recognizes that the government’s announcement to accelerate permanent residency for 33,000 workers will provide important support for some workers in smaller and rural communities. However, as currently framed, the measure has missed the mark for Canada’s food and beverage manufacturing industry.  Across our industry, foreign workers are essential…

Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario – April 29, 2026 – Food and Beverage Canada (FBC-ABC) concluded a productive Board of Directors meeting this week in Niagara-on-the-Lake, bringing together industry leaders from across the country to advance priorities related to competitiveness, sustainability, and investment in Canada’s food and beverage manufacturing industry. The meeting was held at Jackson-Triggs Estate Winery,…

Ottawa, Ontario – April 17, 2026 – Food and Beverage Canada (FBC-ABC) and Canada’s six provincial and regional associations are calling on the Government of Canada to provide urgent clarity on its Budget 2025 commitment to transition up to 33,000 foreign workers to permanent residency in 2026 and 2027, emphasizing the critical need to prioritize…

February 12, 2026 (OTTAWA) – Food and Beverage Canada (FBC-ABC) convened its Board of Directors this week for a productive meeting focused on the policy and advocacy priorities shaping the future of Canada’s food and beverage manufacturing industry.  As Canada’s largest manufacturing sector and largest manufacturing employer, the food and beverage manufacturing industry plays a critical role in advancing…

January 27, 2026 (OTTAWA) – Food and Beverage Canada (FBC-ABC) welcomes the federal government’s recent announcement aimed at improving food affordability, supporting producers, and strengthening Canada’s food supply chains.  For some time, FBC-ABC has been calling for measures that strengthen Canada’s food system and improve the competitiveness of domestic food and beverage manufacturing. In that context, these new…

November 4, 2025 (OTTAWA) – Food and Beverage Canada (FBC-ABC) welcomes the federal government’s continued recognition of the agri-food sector’s importance to Canada’s economic and food security in Budget 2025, including new tax credits, productivity-supporting measures, and investments in trade-enabling infrastructure. These initiatives are essential to spur investment, improve competitiveness, and ensure companies can meet…

September 22, 2025 (OTTAWA) – Food and Beverage Canada (FBC-ABC), together with its six provincial and regional associations and members, wrapped up an intensive week of advocacy and engagement in Ottawa focused on advancing the priorities of Canada’s food and beverage manufacturing industry. Over the course of the week, members of FBC-ABC’s Policy and Advocacy…