BAC Members:
Prime Minister announces the dates of the Cabinet swearing-in and return of Parliament
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will announce his new Cabinet next Tuesday, October 26, 2021. There has been little speculation on changes to significant portfolios such as Agriculture and Agri-food; Health; and Innovation Science and Economic Development. FBC-ABC will share our analysis next week once Cabinet is announced and sworn in. The Prime Minister has also announced that Parliament will return on November 22, 2021. In advance of Parliament returning, the Prime Minister has been meeting with opposition leaders, to discuss priorities for Parliament.
U.S. border to reopen to vaccinated visitors
The White House has confirmed that the United States land and sea border will reopen to non-essential travel on November 8. Only those who are full vaccinated will be allowed through. Air travellers will need to show proof of vaccination and a negative pre-departure COVID-19 test. Non-essential travellers crossing into the U.S. at land borders will need proof of vaccination but will have no COVID-test requirement. Late last Friday, the CDC confirmed the U.S. would accept mixed dose vaccines from international travellers.
Code of Practice
Work continues towards enhancing transparency and fairness in Canada’s food system. FBC-ABC continues to participate with other associations in early discussions regarding the process and timeline for developing an industry Code of Practice. For more information contact Kathleen Sullivan.
Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)
FBC-ABC is working with several primary processing companies to examine on-going issues with TFWP administration for seasonal workers, in advance of the 2022 season. FBC-ABC has held preliminary discussions with ESDC to work through issues such as application delays and prevailing wage rates. For more information contact Kathleen Sullivan.
FCI Canada
FBC-ABC is working with BC Food & Beverage, Food & Beverage Manitoba, Food and Beverage Ontario, CTAQ and Food & Beverage Atlantic on development of a national food and beverage data platform. Launched in August, this extensive project has 2-years of funding support from federal supercluster Protein Industry Canada. Work on the project is overseen by a Steering Committee chaired by CTAQ CEO Sylvie Cloutier. Project participants are also looking at future sustainability of the initiative – work that is being undertaken by a Business Sustainability Sub-Committee chaired by FBC-ABC.
Government announces targeted COVID-19 support measures to create jobs and growth
With existing COVID-19 support measures coming to an end, on October 21 the Minister of Finance announced changes to business support programs, including: Extending the Canada Recovery Hiring Program until May 7, 2022; and supporting businesses still facing significant pandemic-related challenges through two new support streams – the Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program, and the Hardest-Hit Business Recovery Program. To be eligible for the later, hard-hit organizations must meet the following eligibility requirements: an average monthly reduction of at least 50% over the first 13 qualifying periods for the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy; and a current-month revenue loss of at least 50%.