June 3, 2022 – Food, Health & Consumer Products of Canada (FHCP) congratulates Doug Ford and the Progressive Conservatives on their electoral victory. We urge the new incoming government to prioritize correcting constraints impacting the health and long-term sustainability of food, health, and consumer product manufacturers.
Recognized as a key strategic sector for post-pandemic recovery, our industry is keen to play a critical role in a stronger Ontario. We welcomed the Progressive Conservative Party’s commitments in their 2022 Budget to develop an Advanced Manufacturing Strategy and support our sector’s labour needs through a Food Security and Supply Chain Fund and the Enhanced Agri-Food Workplace Protection Program.
FHCP CEO Michael Graydon commented:
“With the inflation rate now at a 31-year high, cost pressures are a growing challenge for consumers and for FHCP members. We are concerned about the risk this poses to food security. In our recent surveys, FHCP members reported that overall costs have increased by 17 per cent.
At this critical time, the 2022 Budget commitments to support advanced manufacturing and tackle labour shortages across the sector are a welcome first step to dealing with our current challenges. Industry and government collaboration will be crucial for the long-term sustainability and growth of food, health, and consumer product manufacturing in Ontario.”
In this election, FHCP received broad political support on our industry’s key priorities - addressing labour shortages, implementing a Grocery Code of Conduct, and supporting a circular economy for plastics. We look forward to working with the government and all MPPs to address these challenges and improve access to the essential products Ontarians rely on every day.
About Food, Health & Consumer Products of Canada
FHCP is the voice of the food, health, and consumer product industry that employs over 350,000 Canadians across businesses of all sizes that manufacture and distribute the safe, high-quality products that are at the heart of healthy homes, healthy communities, and a healthy Canada.