Food, Health & Consumer Products of Canada

Our members need their voices heard by governments now more than ever

We work to ensure that all government’s political priorities and decisions support and grow our sector’s ability to contribute to the economy, healthcare, and the lives of Canadians. We continue to raise our top priorities in meetings with federal and provincial ministers, senior advisors to ministers, opposition critics, Members of Parliament on critical committees that deal with issues pertinent to our industry, and senior officials across a range of departments.

Strengthening the food, health, and consumer product sector will ensure Canadians can continue to find the products they need at prices they can afford, as well as power much-needed investment, innovation, jobs, and growth.

We cannot achieve this ambitious vision of a stronger, more resilient Canada without the support of government as a proactive, engaged partner committed to the future of this vital sector. Our advocacy priorities are outlined below.

The need for an inclusive Code of Conduct

Canada's grocery industry is highly concentrated, with five major retailers controlling over 80% of sales. This dominance has led to unilateral fees and increased costs for farmers and manufacturers, fueling consumer inflation and food insecurity, and threatening our sector's competitiveness.

To address this, a comprehensive Code of Conduct that includes all items found within a typical grocery basket is crucial.

Recent reports from the Standing Committee of Agriculture and Agri-Food and the Competition Bureau advocate for a Code to help stabilize pricing, maintain product supply, and introduce more competition into a current consolidated market.

Learn more about our work on developing a Code of Conduct.

Advancing a circular economy

FHCP actively discusses plastic packaging with Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), including mandatory minimum thresholds of recycled content and labeling for recyclability and compostability.

We advocate for federal plastics measures that are appropriately scoped to build on but not conflict with the provinces and territories; sequenced to ensure appropriate implementation timeframes and order of measures, and; supported with strategic investments and partnerships.

Recycled content standards are vital for a circular economy and complement Extended Producer Responsibility. Our sustainability initiatives prioritize effective policies with ambitious yet realistic targets, reflecting operational realities and international alignment.

Discover more about our sustainability efforts.

A competitive manufacturing sector with a resilient supply chain

The current 45,000 job vacancies in food manufacturing pose a $3.1 billion annual employer cost if left unaddressed.

Automation investments are a potential solution to mitigate chronic labor shortages, but 61% of Canadian manufacturers say the government needs to provide either more direct funding or tax credits to lower the cost of technology adoption.

Smooth supply chain operations are crucial for delivering essential products, requiring end-to-end digitization of our transportation network for efficiency, cost reduction, and environmental impact. Modernizing transportation infrastructure and creating alternate routes are also essential to prevent weather-related disruptions.

Discover more about our work in the supply chain.

Prioritizing the Self-Care Framework

The vulnerability of Canada's healthcare system has never been more apparent.

Reducing common cold-related doctor visits from one in seven to one in eight through self-care could save over three million appointments annually, providing resources for 500,000 more Canadians to access family doctors.

Despite recognizing the benefits, Health Canada's Self-Care Framework, launched in 2016, remains incomplete and misdirected, leading to product shortages and Canada lagging behind on self-care.

Learn more about our work in self-care.

Advocacy

Our members need their voices heard by governments now more than ever

The need for an inclusive Code of Conduct

Advancing a circular economy

A competitive manufacturing sector with a resilient supply chain

Prioritizing the Self-Care Framework

About FHCP

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