September 26, 2024 (OTTAWA) – Food and Beverage Canada’s (FBC-ABC) Board of Directors wrapped up a successful two-day session in Ottawa this week.
The Board was pleased to approve FBC-ABC’s Strategic Plan 2025-2027, a roadmap that will guide the association’s work over the coming years. Key discussions addressed topics such as the federal government’s plastics reduction initiatives and recent changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. The Board also welcomed Farm Credit Canada (FCC), which presented findings from the jointly developed FCC/FBC-ABC State of the Industry Survey. This initiative highlights FBC-ABC’s coast-to-coast advocacy efforts. Survey results will be released in the coming weeks, and we thank all members who contributed their insights.
FBC-ABC extends its gratitude to members of the Conservative caucus, particularly Member of Parliament John Barlow, for joining us in a roundtable discussion. This session focused on several critical issues impacting the food and beverage manufacturing industry, including labour and skills shortages, supply chain disruptions, innovation investment, and the challenges of meeting plastic food packaging targets.
In addition, FBC-ABC’s annual parliamentarian and stakeholder reception welcomed over 100 industry leaders, government officials, and parliamentarians. We would like to sincerely thank this year’s event sponsors – Maple Leaf Foods, Beer Canada, Farm Credit Canada and the Wine Growers of Canada – whose support was instrumental in making the event a success.
We are also excited to welcome Charles Bergeron, Manager of Government Relations at Bimbo Canada, to the FBC-ABC Board of Directors. We thank Sylvia Sicuso for her valuable contributions over the past years. “I am honoured to join FBC-ABC’s Board of Directors and look forward to contributing to the association’s ongoing policy and advocacy efforts to support the Canadian food and beverage manufacturing industry”. – Charles Bergeron, Bimbo Canada
Since its establishment in 2018, FBC-ABC has grown into an influential voice advocating for the national interests of Canada’s food and beverage industry. The Board of Directors plays a vital role in shaping policies that benefit both members and Canadians at large.
For more information or to inquire about joining FBC-ABC, please contact us.
Executive Committee:
Mike Bannister, President and CEO, Atlantic Poultry Inc. – Co-Chair, FBC-ABC
Robert Eiser, President, Aliments LUDA Foods – Co-Chair, FBC-ABC
Chris Conway, CEO, Food and Beverage Ontario – Vice-Chair, FBC-ABC
Kathleen Sullivan, Vice President Government and Industry Relations, Maple Leaf Foods – Treasurer, FBC-ABC
Gabrielle Fallu, Head, Public Relations and Government Affairs, Exceldor Cooperative – Corporate Secretary, FBC-ABC
Ted Lawson, Chief Commercial Officer, Nortera –Director at Large, FBC-ABC
Michael Burrows, CEO, Maple Lodge Farms – Past-Chair, FBC-ABC
Directors:
David Anyanwu, Director, Federal Government Relations, Cargill Limited
Tammy Brideau, Executive Director, Food & Beverage Atlantic
Charles Bergeron, Manager, Government Relations, Bimbo Canada
Sylvie Cloutier, President and CEO, Conseil de la transformation alimentaire du Québec (CTAQ)
Flavia Dolan, Senior Manager Regulatory Affairs Canada, Ingredion Canada Corporation
James Donaldson, CEO, BC Food & Beverage
Sylvain Fournaise, Vice-President, Food Safety and Technical Services, and Research and Development, OLYMEL S.E.C./L.P.
Marie Ly, Senior Director, Industry & Government Affairs at Gay Lea Foods
Michael Mikulak, Executive Director, Food and Beverage Manitoba
Bianca Parsons, Executive Director, Alberta Food Processors Association
Del Rollo, VP, Industry & Government Relations, Arterra Wines Canada
Kerry Towle, Vice President, Industry & Government Relations, Sofina Foods