April 3, 2025 (OTTAWA) – With the federal election underway, Food and Beverage Canada (FBC-ABC) is calling on all political parties to commit to a strong, future-focused plan for Canada’s food and beverage manufacturing industry —a vital industry that feeds Canadians, sustains farmers, strengthens rural communities, and drives economic activity across the country.
Employing more than 320,000 Canadians across over 8,000 companies – it is the largest manufacturing employer in the country. It also serves as the single largest purchaser of Canadian agricultural products, transforming goods into the safe, high-quality and nutritious products Canadians rely on every day. These companies have chosen to establish in Canada, hire Canadians, support local communities, and reinvest in our economy – but they can’t do it alone.
“Our message to all federal parties is simple: you cannot designate food and beverage manufacturing as a part of Canada’s critical infrastructure and then fail to invest in it,” said Kristina Farrell, CEO of FBC-ABC. “The next government must act decisively and quickly to help us enhance our competitiveness, incentivize innovation, and build the resilient, secure food system Canadians expect and deserve.”
Despite its foundational role in food security and economic growth, the industry continues to be chronically under-supported, even as global pressures intensify. From inflation and labour shortages to supply chain disruptions and rising input costs, many manufacturers have been forced to pause capital investments and delay expansion – threatening the future growth of Canada’s food system.
“Food and beverage manufacturing is more than an economic contributor—it is a core strategic asset, essential to our national food security,” said Farrell. “We call on all parties to stand with Canadian food and beverage manufacturers, and to demonstrate that support through real, concrete commitments as we work to feed Canadians every day.”
Call to Action: What Canada’s Food and Beverage Manufacturers Need from the Next Federal Government
FBC-ABC is urging all parties to include the following six key commitments in their platforms, forming the basis of a long-term strategy to ensure food and beverage manufacturing remains a strong, competitive, and sustainable industry in Canada.
1. Launch a Dedicated Food and Beverage Manufacturing Modernization Fund: Establish a specialized industry-focused fund to drive investments in equipment, automation, sustainability, and innovation—empowering manufacturers to modernize, expand, and stay ahead in an increasingly competitive market. Critically, the size and scope of this fund must be sufficient to meet the real needs of the industry, recognizing the capital-intensive nature of building, operating, and modernizing food and beverage manufacturing facilities. This fund must be designed with the realities of food and beverage manufacturing in mind, including high capital costs, aging infrastructure, and regulatory demands. It should be accessible to both large companies, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), ensuring support reaches the full diversity of Canada’s manufacturing landscape.
2. Introduce Competitive Tax Incentives for Investment: Expand tax measures that encourage capital reinvestment, productivity enhancements, and long-term domestic growth. These incentives are essential to offset rising input costs, inflation, and the uncertainty created by global trade tensions. Competitive tax policies will help companies plan confidently, attract investment, avoid capital flight and ensure that food and beverage manufacturing remains rooted in Canada.
3. Advance Regulatory Relief and Modernization: Commit to effective and science-based regulations that support innovation and growth without adding unnecessary burden. This includes pausing the introduction of new, costly regulations, eliminating outdated or duplicative requirements, regulatory harmonization with key trading partners and focusing on practical, science-based approaches tailored to the realities of the food and beverage manufacturing industry. In particular, revisions are needed to the proposed Federal Plastics Registry and greenwashing provisions in Bill C-59, which introduce unclear compliance expectations and new costs without clear benefits.
4. Secure a Strong, Stable Workforce: A reliable, skilled workforce is the foundation of food and beverage manufacturing in Canada, yet labour shortages continue to constrain growth and disrupt operations. Ensure labour remains a top priority by supporting:
• A sector-specific immigration stream tailored to the unique needs of food and beverage manufacturing—recognizing that these roles are critical, year-round, and often difficult to fill through domestic recruitment alone.
• Expanded pathways to permanent residency for essential foreign workers already contributing to Canada’s food system.
• Investments in skills training and upskilling to prepare the next generation of workers for a modern, technology-enabled food and beverage manufacturing industry. This includes everything from line operators and maintenance technicians to quality assurance and food safety experts.
5. Strengthen Supply Chains and Infrastructure: Food and beverage manufacturers rely on efficient, reliable supply chains to receive ingredients, move goods, and deliver products across Canada and to global markets. The next federal government must implement the National Supply Chain Task Force recommendations, invest in critical infrastructure, and eliminate interprovincial trade barriers to support a stronger, more integrated and resilient food system.
6. Promote Canadian-Made Food and Beverage Products – At Home and Abroad: Develop a national strategy to elevate the profile of food and beverage products manufactured right here in Canada—both domestically and on the global stage. This strategy should highlight Canada’s role as a reliable supplier of safe, high-quality food, while showcasing the value of products made by companies that invest in Canadian facilities, source from Canadian farmers, and employ Canadian workers.
About Food and Beverage Canada (FBC-ABC)
Food and Beverage Canada (FBC-ABC) is the national voice for Canada’s domestic food and beverage manufacturing industry. Representing over 1,850 businesses nationwide, FBC-ABC’s membership includes six provincial and regional food and beverage manufacturing associations, alongside many of the country’s leading food and beverage companies. Committed to collaboration and leadership, FBC-ABC drives policy and advocacy efforts on critical industry priorities, including Productivity and Competitiveness, Labour, Sustainability, and Regulatory Effectiveness.
Media Contact:
Kristina Farrell
CEO, Food and Beverage Canada (FBC-ABC)
kristina.farrell@fbc-abc.com
613-322-9235