Good morning! Welcome back to Queen Street Analytics' weekly digest of regulatory developments, legislative discussions, political announcements and other government-related news regarding food and beverage manufacturing, processing, packaging, labelling, safety and inspections.

Every Monday, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

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Start Date: 2025-03-01
End Date: 2025-03-08

Top Headlines

Main Stories

State-of-the-Art Centre for Plant Health Opens in British Columbia

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has launched a cutting-edge Centre for Plant Health in North Saanich, British Columbia. This facility will enhance Canada's capability in virus testing for grapevines and fruit-bearing trees, supporting the productivity and sustainability of the wine and fruit industries. The facility aims to modernize testing for plant diseases and reduce quarantine times, which could expedite regulatory approvals and accelerate market access for Canadian businesses. This initiative is part of the broader Laboratories Canada strategy to improve scientific infrastructure.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Government of Canada Bolsters Local Food Infrastructure Projects

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has announced $5.6 million in funding for 87 small-scale food infrastructure projects across the country. The Local Food Infrastructure Fund aims to improve community food security and access to nutritious, culturally appropriate food, especially for equity-deserving groups. Projects include community gardens and greenhouses, emphasizing local food production and security. This initiative is part of a broader $62.9 million commitment from Budget 2024 to enhance food infrastructure.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Freshr Technologies Receives Federal Support for Sustainable Packaging

Freshr Technologies in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, has secured a $498,750 repayable investment from the federal government to boost its production of biodegradable packaging. This funding will enable facility upgrades, including new filtration systems and quality assurance equipment. The expansion aims to meet the demand for FreshrPack™, a technology that extends the shelf life of fresh proteins. The investment aligns with the government's focus on supporting eco-friendly practices and skilled job creation in Atlantic Canada.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

National School Food Program Expands in British Columbia

The Canadian and British Columbia governments have signed a bilateral agreement to enhance school food programs across the province. This initiative will provide healthy meals to 90,000 children in over 1,000 schools, potentially saving families an average of $800 annually on grocery bills. The federal government will invest $39.4 million over three years, focusing on increasing the number of students served and improving meal nutrition. This program also supports local economies by sourcing food from BC growers and producers.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Canadian Government Funds Dairy Processing Expansion in Prince Edward Island

The Government of Canada has announced a $12 million investment in Amalgamated Dairies Limited in Prince Edward Island. This funding will modernize milk processing operations and introduce new automated cheesemaking equipment. The investment, part of Canada's commitment to support supply-managed sectors, aims to increase processing capacity and productivity while addressing international trade agreement impacts. This effort underscores the government's ongoing support for the dairy industry and supply management system.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Increase in Frozen Meat Stocks Reported

Statistics Canada reports a 6.2% increase in the stocks of frozen and chilled meats as of January 1, 2025, compared to October 2024, indicating a 5.2% rise year-over-year. This data reflects growing inventories in cold storage facilities.

Sources: Open Government Data Set: www.statcan.gc.ca

Important Updates

Secondary Stories

Canadian Government Funds Dairy Processing Expansion in Prince Edward Island

The Government of Canada has announced a $12 million investment in Amalgamated Dairies Limited in Prince Edward Island. This funding will modernize milk processing operations and introduce new automated cheesemaking equipment. The investment, part of Canada's commitment to support supply-managed sectors, aims to increase processing capacity and productivity while addressing international trade agreement impacts. This effort underscores the government's ongoing support for the dairy industry and supply management system.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Tricyclic Sesquiterpenes and Triterpenoids Group Assessment Released

The Canadian Environmental Protection Act's assessment of 14 substances in the Tricyclic Sesquiterpenes and Triterpenoids group concludes a low risk to the environment and human health, allowing continued use in cosmetics and other products.

Sources: Gazette, Part I: www.gazette.gc.ca

Canadian Food Inspection Agency Chemical Residue Monitoring Report

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency's report shows a 97.7% compliance rate for chemical residues in food samples collected during 2021-2022, maintaining food safety standards despite the pandemic's impact on testing.

Sources: Open Government Data Set: open.canada.ca

Dairy and Cannabis Sales Increase Federal Earnings

Statistics Canada data reveals a 1.1% increase in federal and provincial earnings from alcohol and cannabis sales, totaling $15.7 billion for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024. Sales of beer, wine, and spirits declined while ciders and cannabis sales rose.

Sources: Open Government Data Set: www.statcan.gc.ca

Support for Southern Ontario Agri-Food Sector Announced

The Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario has committed over $12 million to help agri-food businesses scale, including $2.7 million for foodtech initiatives and $9.3 million for six other companies, enhancing growth and innovation.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

MFH International Enterprise Fined for Food and Drugs Act Offences

Health Canada has fined Greater Vancouver's MFH International Enterprise Inc. approximately $1.07 million for violations under the Food and Drugs Act, reflecting the government's focus on compliance and consumer safety.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Provincial Announcements

Nova Scotia Loyal Program Expands

Nova Scotia's initiative to highlight local products has grown, with Loblaw and Walmart joining the Nova Scotia Loyal program. This includes new product labeling and consumer loyalty rewards.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.novascotia.ca

Alberta Budget 2025 Supports Food Security

Alberta plans to invest $5 million in food security and $20 million in school nutrition programs, aiming to address food insecurity and support families.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.alberta.ca

Saskatchewan Promotes Interprovincial Trade

Saskatchewan continues to lead in reducing trade barriers within Canada, co-leading an initiative for direct-to-consumer alcohol sales, enhancing market access for local producers.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.saskatchewan.ca

Saskatchewan Halts U.S. Alcohol Purchases

In response to U.S. tariffs, Saskatchewan stops purchasing U.S. alcohol and prioritizes Canadian goods in government procurement, aiming to protect the local economy.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.saskatchewan.ca

British Columbia Responds to U.S. Tariffs

B.C. plans to introduce legislation to counter U.S. tariffs, including measures to support local industries and reduce reliance on American goods and energy.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.gov.bc.ca

Public Officials' Social Media

MP Anita Vandenbeld Promotes Canadian Products

Anita Vandenbeld encourages Canadians to choose locally made products through a website that helps understand product labeling. This initiative supports local economies and producers.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

MP Tim Louis Visits Elmira Pet Products

Tim Louis highlights Elmira Pet Products' role in job creation and innovation during his visit to the largest private-label pet food manufacturer in Kitchener-Conestoga.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

MP Francesco Sorbara Discusses Arla Foods Expansion

Francesco Sorbara meets with Arla Foods management to discuss its Canadian expansion and investment in Vaughan, focusing on the Tre Stelle cheese brand.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

MP Dan Albas Criticizes Alberta Wine Fees

Dan Albas points out recent increases in fees for direct-to-consumer shipping of BC wine to Alberta, reflecting ongoing challenges in interprovincial trade.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

MP Jean-Yves Duclos Celebrates Quebec School Food Program

Jean-Yves Duclos announces Quebec's participation in the National School Food Program, providing healthy meals to 110,000 children, enhancing educational support.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

MP Jenna Sudds Highlights BC School Food Agreement

Jenna Sudds announces an agreement with British Columbia to expand school food programs, offering healthy meals to 90,000 children as part of the national initiative.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

What We're Reading This Week

• CBC News: Exploring sustainable practices in local food sourcing.
• CTV News: Analysis of tariff impacts on the Canadian food and beverage sector.
• Global News: Rising concerns over mislabeling of 'Product of Canada' items.
• Toronto Sun: CFIA's investigation into food mislabeling complaints.
• National Post: Examination of increasing mislabeling complaints regarding Canadian food products.
• Global News: Alberta businesses brace for tariff effects on the food sector.
• Global News: Manitoba's food and beverage industry faces challenges from tariffs.