Feeding Canadians.
Fueling the Economy.
Canada’s food and beverage manufacturers do more than feed a nation — they sustain it. As one of the country’s largest employers, our industry drives growth in every region and ensures Canadians have access to safe, high-quality food. To stay competitive, we need policies that value our workforce, reward innovation, and reduce barriers to growth so we can keep delivering for Canadians.
Canada’s Largest Manufacturing Industry. Together, We Feed Canada.
Food and beverage manufacturing is the industry behind every meal.
In communities across the country, our industry employs more than 318,000 people and purchases over half of Canada’s agricultural production. Together, we keep shelves stocked, fridges full, and families fed.
But this essential industry cannot be taken for granted. When food and beverage manufacturing faces challenges, Canadians feel it – through higher grocery bills, increased reliance on imports, and reduced resilience to global disruptions.
When it thrives, Canada thrives:
- Stable, good jobs in every region of the country.
- Stronger trade and new market opportunities.
- Food security and sovereignty – the assurance that Canada can feed itself.
Feeding Canadians. Strengthening Communities. Powering the Economy.
As the largest customer for Canadian agriculture, the food and beverage manufacturing industry transforms locally grown ingredients into the food Canadians enjoy every day – and into value-added products recognized around the world.
This essential industry drives $173.4 billion in GDP and generates $59.8 billion in exports to more than 200 countries. By creating value here at home, we help farmers succeed, strengthen rural communities, and anchor Canada’s position as a global food leader.
8.8k
Businesses Across Canada
(the vast majority being small businesses)
318k
Employed
+70%
largest buyer of Canada’s raw agricultural products
$173.4 B
Generated In GDP
Our Recommendations to Strengthen Canada’s Food and Beverage Manufacturing Industry
Canada’s largest manufacturing industry plays a vital role in feeding Canadians, supporting farmers, and powering the national economy. To remain globally competitive and ensure a secure, resilient domestic food supply, Canada needs a strategic policy framework that strengthens productivity, secures access to labour, and drives modernization and innovation across the food and beverage manufacturing industry.
1. Strengthen the Workforce
Secure Canada’s food and beverage manufacturing workforce by:
- Implementing an immediate bridging mechanism to extend expiring work permits for foreign workers currently employed in food and beverage manufacturing facilities, to avoid labour losses while permanent immigration solutions are developed;
- Creating clear, permanent pathways to residency for eligible foreign workers in the food and beverage manufacturing industry;
- Maintaining the 20% cap on the proportion of Temporary Foreign Workers (TFWs) that can be hired for food and beverage manufacturing occupations; and
- Collaborating with industry to design a dedicated, industry-specific foreign labour program tailored to the year-round, permanent nature of jobs in food and beverage manufacturing.
2. Modernize Canada’s Agri-Food Regulatory System
That the federal government, through the Treasury Board, Health Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada:
- Convene a National Agri-Food Regulatory Modernization Summit; and
- Commit to a Reverse Burden of Proof regulatory review in collaboration with the food and beverage manufacturing industry, to streamline oversight, eliminate duplication, and enable innovation.
3. Boost Competitiveness Through Tax Measures
Provide an immediate competitiveness boost to the food and beverage manufacturing industry through targeted tax policy adjustments.
That the federal government:
- Expand Capital Cost Allowance (CCA) programs to allow rapid write-offs for machinery and equipment investments, aligning with U.S. measures to encourage reinvestment and modernization; and
- Introduce targeted tax credits to incentivize automation, modernization, and productivity enhancements across the industry.
4. Create a Domestic Processing Fund
Establish a $200-million annual processing fund with a $2-billion, five-year commitment to modernize Canada’s food and beverage manufacturing capacity.
That the federal government:
- Establish a $200-million per year processing fund, with a $2-billion commitment over five years, to upgrade facilities, expand capacity, and accelerate the adoption of innovation and advanced technologies across Canada’s food and beverage manufacturing industry.
Behind Every Meal Is Canadian Innovation
With smart, forward-looking policy, we can keep creating value here in Canada – ensuring that every meal we make continues to support Canadian jobs, Canadian communities, and Canadian families.
