au courant
A regular update on issues, events and activities.
Volume 11, No.3, March 2007
Top Stories
Budget adopts key recommendations of Manufacturing Industry Committee Report
Federal budget measures aimed at improving the competitiveness of Canadian manufacturers were recently announced in part due to efforts by FCPC and partnering members of the Canadian Manufacturing Coalition. Many of industry's recommendations reflected in the Industry Committee Report were subsequently tabled in the federal government's budget namely: a temporary two-year write-off on capital investments and an increase in the capital cost allowance rates for buildings and computers used in manufacturing and processing. In addition the government announced its commitment to 'a new performance-based regulatory system' which will include the adoption of a new Cabinet Directive on Streamlining Regulation aimed at creating an efficient, timely and cost-effective regulatory system including accountability for federal performance. As this new approach to regulation is implemented, the Government will consider whether a principles-based legislative framework to guide federal regulatory departments and agencies is necessary.
ECCnet product registry and Canada Revenue Agency Goods and Services Tax
To further reduce costs and provide efficiencies for retailers, GS1 Canada is exploring an opportunity to include point of sale (POS) GST into ECCnet suppliers, including FCPC members, retailers and their respective associations (i.e., Canadian Council of Grocer Distributors and Retail Council of Canada). GS1 Canada has also proposed to the Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA) that Canada utilize a system, currently being used in other markets, where by the federal government tax office validates and guarantees the POS GST in the ECCnet system. The CRA has recently confirmed they will provide rulings utilizing ECCnet for new contentious products. CRA will also participate on the new GS1 Canada tax taskforce to assist with industry education and modeling industry best practices. For more information
Canadian Industry RFID pilot complete; functionality assessment report available
Field work on the Canadian Industry RFID pilot was completed in December. The results of this initiative, which involved manufacturing facilities as well as retail distribution centres and stores, are being reviewed by pilot participants. An industry report examining the RFID business case as well as functionality assessment will be available in April. Member companies and suppliers are encouraged to revisit the Canadian RFID Centre to learn more about the pilot outcomes. For more information on fees and to book a visit. [Members only]
FCPC completes Member Influenza Pandemic Plan
As part of FCPC's Pandemic and Avian Influenza planning, the association has launched a Member Resource which can be found online. FCPC is also working closely with the Canadian Supply Chain Food Safety Coalition (CSCFSC) representing the supply chain
- from farm to fork. FCPC also participated in a two-day workshop with government and supply chain partners to discuss preparedness planning. The association will continue to update members on developments resulting from the workshop including discussions with trading partners.
Other News
Food for Health Exhibition opens at Canada's Agriculture Museum in Ottawa
The new Food for Health Exhibition, opened earlier this month at Canada's Agriculture Museum in Ottawa, takes a fresh look at the foods we eat and answers many of the questions Canadians have about their food choices, about food safety and about the role food plays in ensuring good health. The Canadian Partnership for Consumer Food Safety Education, of which FCPC is a member, has been a key player in this collaborative effort with the Canada Agriculture Museum and by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), in partnership with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Health Canada, and the Canadian Partnership for Consumer Food Safety Education. The website
foodforhealth.ca was also launched to answer Canadians' questions on-line. The Exhibition can be visited daily from March 9 to October 31, 2007 at the Agriculture Museum and will travel across Canada from 2008 to 2011
Phones-for-Food: Rogers encourages its customers to recycle old wireless devices to aid local food banks
The Canadian Association of Food Banks (CAFB) in partnership with national sponsor Rogers Wireless recently announces for the first time in Canada, that select Rogers Wireless devices will now be sold with postage-paid recycling envelopes in each box. The Phones-for-Food program began in 2003 as an initiative by the CAFB in order to alleviate hunger and divert waste from landfill sites. Since its inception, over $300,000 has been generated for food banks across the country. One wireless device, depending on its age and condition, can be worth $2-$5 when donated, which is the equivalent to a jar of peanut butter or one carton of milk. For more information on the program, visit
think-food.com/
Canadians asked to input into agriculture and agri-food policy
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and provincial and territorial governments want to hear from as many Canadians and agriculture industry stakeholders as possible during public consultations on the next generation of agriculture and agri-food policy, a framework which will help to ensure a competitive and profitable agriculture sector for years to come. Public consultations as well as an online consultation have heard from over 2000 interested Canadians, many of them producers as well as representatives from industry associations. To participate, visit
agr.gc.ca/
Preliminary recommendation on BSE by global animal health agency
Earlier in March, the World Organization for Animal Health issued a preliminary recommendation that Canada be categorized as a Controlled Risk country for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). A final decision on Canada's status related to BSE risk will be made at the OIE's General Assembly meeting in May. Request for further information should be directed to CFIA, media relations at 1-613-228-6682.
Student wage subsidy programs available: Deadline for applications approaching
Under the Rural Summer Jobs Service program or the Ontario Summer Jobs Service programs, the Ontario government is offering a $2.00 per hour wage subsidy to eligible companies who hire a student/students this summer. Both programs are open to employers who hire students for up to 16 weeks, between April 1st and September 30th, 2007 for a maximum of 560 hours. The deadline for applying for the Ontario Summer Jobs program is April 9, 2007. For the Rural Summer Jobs program, the deadline is May 31, 2007. More Information can be found online at
omafra.gov.on.ca, by phone at 1-866-306-7827, or via email rsjs.omafra@ontario.ca.
FCPC hosts important continuing education opportunity: "dietary sodium as a public health issue for Canadians—a collaborative approach to shaping policy"
Excessive dietary sodium intake is among the modifiable risk factors linked to high blood pressure. As noted in the industry report, Committed to Healthy Active Living. Canada's food and beverage industry has been reformulating its products including lowering sodium (salt) sugar and trans fats. More recently (March 27, 2007) the association in collaboration with the Dietitians of Canada (DC), hosted a meeting with key stakeholders and health professionals to explore: the effect hypertension is having on Canadians; the role dietary sodium plays as a modifiable risk factor and, the approach the United Kingdom's Food Standards Agency is taking to work with their food industry to reduce dietary sodium levels in processed food products and the challenges inherent in changing. FCPC will continue to represent industry and collaborate with stakeholders on this important public health issue
State of the Industry: Food & Beverage Benchmarking Forum
FCPC recently took part in the two-day "State of the Industry" conference looking at Canada's food processing and manufacturing sector with the aim of creating benchmarks to track progress industry's progress in key areas. Several CEOs from FCPC member companies participated in the conference sharing their insights and recommendations for next steps as Canada looks to improve its productivity and profitability. Nancy Croitoru, President & CEO represented FCPC members voicing the need for continued regulatory reform. She was joined by Elaine Smith, Senior VP Industry Affairs, Gemma Zecchini, Senior VP Public Policy both of whom participated in conference panels. The honorable Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Leona Dombrowski was on hand to lend her support for industry. FCPC will continue to work with industry and government partners to help advance regulatory reform to promote food and beverage manufacture ring in Canada.
Welcome to FCPC
FCPC would like to welcome our newest affiliate member Captive Channel. Captive Channel is Canada's market leader in providing in-store media communication within retailer/grocery environments at the point-of-purchase to stimulate a call-to-action. Captive Channel has distinguished itself as not just another digital signage company but rather a true digital communications network. Captive Channel is currently the single largest communication network for grocery consumers in Canada at the point-of-purchase with 160 retail stores and a national network reaching 6 million monthly viewers
Welcome also to new affiliate member Match Marketing Group. Match is a North American focused field marketing services agency that has been delivering strategic and innovative solutions to leading brand for 10 years in the areas of Experiential Marketing, Strategic and Tactical Sales Services, and Pop Up Retail. Match has built their reputation as a Best in Class partner through the consistent delivery of Better Ideas, Stronger Execution, and Measurable Results. Using technology as the ultimate enabler Match has developed a Proprietary eBusiness Process Management System designed to deliver seamless integration of personnel, reporting and management to ensure our clients resources are utilized efficiently and effectively at the point of connection. With over 4,000 profiled, highly trained, and dedicated Match Makers deployed across Canada Match has the coverage reach to interact with consumers wherever they may live, work, shop, or play. Match operates with full service offices in Toronto, Montreal, and Dallas along with regional field management in key markets nationally.
People in the News
Thomas Vandepeer joins FCPC as new Director of Communications & Events
FCPC welcomes Tom Vandepeer to the communications and events team. Tom joins FCPC after successful marketing communications positions in Canada and Australia. An MBA from UWO's Richard Ivey School of Business, Tom most recently worked at the Bay Area Health Trust, a holding company delivering private services and capital replacement funds to Hamilton Health Sciences Corporation (HHS) and McMaster University.
Members in the News
Jean Gattuso, President and CEO of A. Lassonde awarded the 2007 Premio Award by the Canadian Italian Business and Professional Association
Jean was presented the award on March 17 at the gala of the eighth edition of the CIBPA Premio Awards. The 2007 Premio Award (Business category) is intended to formally recognize those individuals whose achievements have earned them distinction and brought honour to the Canadian Italian community in Quebec. In addition to nearly 20 years at A. Lassonde Inc., Jean Gattuso previously worked for other food manufacturers and has acquired vast experience in the agri-food sector, contributing to the industry's growth both inside and outside Quebec. Jean sits on FCPC's Board of Directors, amongst his involvement with a number of associations. FCPC Congratulates Jean for this award and to his many contributions to the food industry.
Tom Barlow, President, Coca-Cola Bottling Company moves to Atlanta
Tom Barlow, former President, Coca-Cola Bottling Company and Chair of the Industry Affairs Policy Committee took up his new position as Vice President On-Premise Sales and Service, North America, Coca-Cola Enterprises effective March 1, 2007.
Industry Making Headlines
'Wal-Mart effect' feeds grocer price wars
(Globe and Mail March 15, 2007)
Wal-Mart Canada Corp.'s aggressive expansion into groceries has plunged Ontario supermarkets into an "irrational" price war, the head of a leading rival says. The pricing frenzy will continue "for the foreseeable future," Bill McEwan, chief executive officer of Sobeys Inc., predicted Wednesday. As a result, Loblaw Cos. Ltd., the hard-pressed market leader, is not alone in feeling the wrath of Wal-Mart. Sobeys, the No. 2 grocery chain in Canada, saw its third-quarter profit drop 27 per cent - to $33.3-million or 51 cents a share - as it raced to revamp its operations to take on the stiffer competition
Perfume case may have wide impact
(Globe and Mail, March 14, 2007)
The federal Competition Tribunal will begin hearings on a case that could directly affect the terms under which Canadian suppliers and retailers do business with each other. The tribunal, the adjudicative arm of the Competition Bureau, will decide in coming weeks whether one of the country's largest retailers should have access to a range of popular cosmetics, even if the suppliers no longer want to provide them