OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA - With inflation affecting not only the United States but Canada and other countries worldwide, the Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) recently announced that it was encouraged to see that the Canadian Federal Budget 2023 addressed the impacts of this issue and supported the National Supply Chain Strategy.

“The fresh fruit and vegetable supply chain is a major contributor to Canada’s GDP, and to job creation in rural and urban communities from coast to coast to coast. We also provide Canadian families with safe and nutritious food that is crucial to supporting their health and well-being,” said CPMA President Ron Lemaire. “With the rising cost of food top of mind for Canadians, we hope the federal government will leverage Budget 2023 to make food production and access to food a whole-of-government priority and support the continued resiliency and future growth of the sector.”

In addition to addressing inflation, the budget also included a number of commitments that were recommended by the association in its advocacy efforts and pre-budget submissions to the government. According to a release, they include:

• A National Supply Chain Strategy, informed by the recommendations of the National Supply Chain Task Force report, including the establishment of a Supply Chain Office
• Measures to improve government oversight of Canadian ports and marine shipping to reduce congestion and increase supply chain efficiency
• Federal investments in rural infrastructure, including through funding for a housing strategy and a top-up to the Local Food Infrastructure Fund
• Funding to establish the Canada Water Agency as a standalone entity to support the development of a long-term sustainable water strategy for Canada

Although CPMA was supportive of these commitments, the association was disappointed that the implementation of a financial protection mechanism for produce sellers was once again not included in the budget.

“The impacts of the pandemic, supply chain disruptions, and geopolitical and economic volatility have put the produce sector in a more vulnerable position without a financial protection mechanism in place,” added Lemaire. “We are hopeful that all parties will support Bill C-280, the Financial Protection for Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Farmers Act, when it comes before the House of Commons in the coming weeks.”

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Canadian Produce Marketing Association