As sponsor of Bill S-227, An Act to Establish Food Day in Canada, the Honourable Rob Black, Senator for Ontario and chair of the Canadian Senators Group, reports that it will receive Royal Assent in the coming days.
Food Day in Canada Bill to Receive Royal Assent
In both the Senate Chamber and the House of Commons, Parliamentarians paid tribute to the late Anita Stewart, the founder of Food Day Canada and the first Canadian Food Laureate at the University of Guelph. They also highlighted the many ways in which Canadian food and all those involved in bringing it from farms to our forks exemplify our Canadian values.
“I would like to thank Parliamentarians of all stripes, from both the Senate and the House, for their thoughtful reflections on the role of agriculture from coast to coast to coast,” said Black. “I am delighted that Food Day Canada was passed into law in time for its 20th anniversary. This event will give Canadians an opportunity to thank the farmers who put food on our tables, every summer for years to come.”
The Food Day in Canada Act represents an opportunity for Canadians to join together in a national celebration of Canadian food and the people who make it happen. Across the country, farmers, chefs, and restaurateurs, as well as individuals and organizations, honour this annual event in the height of the growing season.
Food Day Canada was founded by Anita Stewart in 2003 in response to the BSE crisis, which threatened the Canadian beef industry. Since the first Food Day Canada, the event has grown into a cross-country celebration that embodies Canadian culture, cuisine, and ingredients.
Source: Office of Senator Rob Black May 8, 2023 news release
Red Tape Policies and Regulations
At a recent in-person discussion with the Honourable Lisa Thompson, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, she requested input from our association to help identify Ontario policies and regulations that we would describe as ‘red tape.’ She is looking for suggestions of those policies or regulations or government initiatives that are overly complicated and make it difficult and time-consuming to comply and as a result, are costly for Ontario businesses and residents.
In order to assemble a list of potential “red tape” candidates, please take some time to respond to the linked survey. Please note that each submission is completely confidential and no personal information will be shared.
Source: OPMA Survey Red Tape Policies and Regulations, May 9, 2023
Bill C-280 Passes Second Reading
CPMA together with industry partners, the Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada (FVGC) and the Fruit and Vegetable Dispute Resolution Corporation (DRC) are thrilled to announce that Bill C-280, the Financial Protection for Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Farmers Act, was passed at second reading in the House of Commons.
This significant milestone marks a crucial step forward in ensuring the financial security of the fruit and vegetable sector. Bill C-280, championed by Member of Parliament (MP) Scot Davidson, aims to establish a deemed trust, a vital financial protection mechanism for fresh produce sellers in Canada.
This mechanism will help secure payment in the event of buyer bankruptcy, providing stability and support to the industry while safeguarding Canadian food security.
CPMA, FVGC, and DRC call on industry members to stay engaged by reaching out to Members of Parliament and posting on social media to push for Bill C-280 to pass through Committee. Find out how: https://protectproducesales.ca/?mc_cid=fed7063ea2&mc_eid=9d4db0abc1
Source: CPMA Member Bulletin, May 23, 2023
Reminder: Global Coalition Survey on the Cost of Production
The Global Coalition of Fresh Produce is conducting a survey on the costs and prices of fruits and vegetables worldwide for growers, shippers, packers and wholesalers. This global survey aims to determine the current impact of changing production costs as the industry continues to address the challenges of supply chain disruptions and food inflation.
The data obtained will support the development of a global and national perspective on production costs within the following regions: Canada, the USA, Europe, Africa, New Zealand, Australia and South America.
CPMA is encouraging members to complete this short survey to support efforts to frame the challenges our sector is experiencing. Complete the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GLOBALPRODUCE
Source: CPMA Member Bulletin, May 23, 2023
Share Your Thoughts on the Industry’s Packaging Landscape
Single-use plastic packaging (SUP), or viable alternative packaging materials, are vital to maintaining an effective and efficient global fresh produce industry.
To assist CPMA’s work with its members in determining a path forward to address the use of unnecessary plastics within the produce sector and the best practices to reduce the environmental impact of SUP, Value Chain Management International (VCMI) is seeking your feedback through a survey. The information shared will help VCMI update the packaging landscape review completed in 2019 as part of the preliminary work undertaken after the launch of the CPMA’s Plastics Packaging Working Group.
The purpose of this 2023 study is to determine what changes have occurred in the volumes and types of plastic packaging associated with the Canadian fresh produce market, and what has driven any such changes.
All of the information provided will be treated with the strictest confidentiality. The survey, which should take no longer than ten minutes to complete will be open until May 31.
If you wish to review the questions before completing the survey, the questions can be reviewed here: https://vcm-international.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/CPMA-Single-Use-Plastic-Packaging-Survey-2023-Questions-for-Reference-Only.pdf?mc_cid=fed7063ea2&mc_eid=9d4db0abc1. Complete the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CPMA2023ENG
Source: CPMA Member Bulletin, May 23, 2023