May 5, 2025 (OTTAWA) – Food and Beverage Canada (FBC-ABC) and the six provincial and regional food and beverage manufacturing associations extend their congratulations to Prime Minister Mark Carney and the newly elected Liberal government.
As the largest manufacturing employer in the country, our industry is proud to contribute more than $35 billion in GDP annually and support over 300,000 jobs in communities across Canada. From urban centres to rural towns, food and beverage manufacturers form the backbone of the national food system.
We look forward to working with Prime Minister Carney and his Cabinet to advance shared goals: strengthening food security and economic sovereignty, improving supply chain resilience, and ensuring Canada’s domestic food and beverage manufacturers remain competitive in the face of growing global uncertainty.
We are encouraged by the Liberal Party’s commitment to a Domestic Processing Fund, as outlined in their platform. The initial $200 million is a welcome first step – but it falls short of what’s needed. If Canada is serious about growing domestic manufacturing capacity, this fund must be scaled up significantly. A robust, well-resourced program is essential to drive the level of productivity, manufacturing capacity, and innovation gains the industry urgently requires. We look forward to working with the new government to ensure the program is designed and delivered in a way that directly addresses the real and growing needs of manufacturers of all sizes.
In the weeks ahead, we look forward to working with the new ministers responsible for agriculture and agri-food, industry, trade, immigration, and workforce development to advance several key priorities:
Targeted investments in manufacturing infrastructure, automation, and innovation;
Competitive tax policies that support long-term planning and attract investment;
Regulatory modernization to reduce administrative burden and enhance agility;
Securing a strong and stable workforce through immigration and skills development;
Strengthening supply chains and critical infrastructure; and
Promoting Canadian-made food and beverage products — at home and internationally.
“We welcome the opportunity to work with Prime Minister Carney and the Liberal government,” said Kristina Farrell, CEO of Food and Beverage Canada. “As the largest manufacturing employer in the country, our industry needs bold, sustained investment to expand capacity, modernize infrastructure, and secure our place in an increasingly competitive global market. We’re committed to partnering with the federal government to build a stronger, more resilient food system that delivers economic growth, good jobs, and reliable access to safe, affordable food for all Canadians.”
Media Contact:
Kristina Farrell
CEO, Food and Beverage Canada (FBC-ABC)
kristina.farrell@fbc-abc.com
613-322-9235