No images? Click here Welcome back to this month's edition of the Canadian Monthly Advocacy Newsletter - bringing you the latest and greatest policy updates.Save The Date: GCCA Announces Cold Chain Connection and Golf Outing in Toronto GCCA is excited to see you for its Toronto Cold Chain Connection in Canada on Monday, August 8 and Tuesday, August 9, 2022. This regional Cold Chain Connection will include programming, networking events, and optional golf outing, which provides 20-35 people to participate in robust roundtable type conversations with their colleagues from the area. Read more about the Cold Chain Connection HERE. Introduction to TACTIX Government Relations & Public Affairs Inc. On Wednesday, May 18, 2022, GCCA formally introduced our new Canadian Advocacy Partner, TACTIX Government Relations and Public Affairs Inc to the membership. For over 20 years TACTIX has been a trusted advisor to the food and agriculture industry, as well as leading Canadian and Fortune 500 companies, offering experience in solving complex government relations threats and opportunities. Their exceptional insight into the government decision-making process will enable GCCA to elevate the industry’s profile with the Canadian government and help eliminate barriers and successfully navigate political landscapes on behalf of the membership. As part of that conversation, the membership identified the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s inconsistent policy interpretations as a key issue GCCA and TACTIX should focus on. In an effort to address the issue GCCA would like to pull together a small working group to help identify some specific examples of these inconsistencies the membership is experiencing. If you are interested in volunteering for that working group, please contact Lowell Randel at lrandel@gcca.org GCCA Calls on Canadian Government to Make Food Security and Increasing Food Supply a Major Policy Focus On Monday, May 30, 2022, GCCA joined 12 other food and agriculture associations in sending a letter to the Prime Minister and Cabinet, calling on the Federal Government to unleash Canada’s great potential for producing sustainable, affordable food for Canadians and the world. With the war in Ukraine, ongoing challenges from COVID, global supply chain problems and environmental shocks from climate change, Canadians and citizens around the world are facing higher food costs and food shortages. These shortages will disproportionately affect the poor. It is time for Canada to intensify food production to sustainably and affordably feed Canadians and the world. The current situation calls for a major renewed policy focus on optimizing Canada’s food production and Canadian food producers and suppliers are calling on the Prime Minster and Cabinet to take critical, immediate action. The Government of Canada must make food security a key factor in government priorities, actions and decisions, ensuring no regulatory or political obstacles to maintaining current levels of food production, and where possible increasing food production of all types. In particular, the letter asks for two immediate actions: 1) Make Secure Food Production and Supply a Top Consideration in Policy Decisions: Political and regulatory decisions in the near term should prioritize food security and productivity in the policy and decision-making process. This must include a focus on supply-chain resiliency to ensure Canada has the ability to get our products to the markets that need them most. 2) Focus on an Agile, Modern Regulatory Environment that Supports Production Growth: Review the 2019 Aquaculture and Agri-Food Roadmap and the status of all outstanding projects and renew efforts towards their completion. Read the full letter HERE.
Canada Launches New Platform for Consultations and Seeks Input on Regulatory Barriers to Trade Effective regulations protect the health, safety, environment and economic well-being of Canadians. Modernizing Canada’s regulatory system improves Canada's ability to attract investment and growth-oriented businesses. On April 27, 2022, the President of the Treasury Board, the Honourable Mona Fortier, launched Let’s Talk Federal Regulations, a consultation platform that will strengthen transparency and participation in the regulatory system by inviting discussions with and among stakeholders in interactive and dynamic ways. As part of the first consultation using the new platform, Canadians are being invited to provide input on regulatory barriers impeding trade such as duplicative requirements between jurisdictions or divergent standards like energy efficiency standards for appliances. They are also encouraged to share insights on new challenges or opportunities arising from a new post-pandemic reality. Input received on Let’s Talk Federal Regulations will be visible to the public, enabling participants to view comments and engage in an open and transparent conversation. Outcomes from Let’s Talk Federal Regulations will help prioritize inter-jurisdictional regulatory issues and opportunities for alignment and help inform Canada’s position for international regulatory cooperation forums. Cooperation across borders within Canada and on the international scene has proven effective in reducing unnecessary regulatory differences, eliminating duplicative requirements, sharing information, fostering innovation and adopting international standards. The Government of Canada anticipates launching additional consultations through the Let’s Talk Federal Regulations platform in the coming months. The initial consultation will be open until June 27, 2022. Read more HERE. |