We commend the leadership of the Federal-Provincial-Territorial (FPT) Agriculture Ministers, who have agreed to address unfair retail practices in Canada.

We are pleased to see the Ministers recognize that a solution like a code of conduct is needed to ensure the retailers-supplier relationship is transparent, stable and fair. Following the launch of our joint proposed Grocery Code with Empire in March, we are thrilled our industry has contributed to this huge step forward.

We are also grateful to see that the next phase will build on the work of the FPT Working Group with firm timelines, which FHCP has been calling for.  It demonstrates they understand the urgency of this issue and the negative consequences that unfair retail practices continue to have on Canada’s food supply system.

We thank the FPT Working Group for their contribution to this critical issue. FHCP has supported the process since its inception, regularly providing our insights and data.  
 
For the industry-led process to be successful,  we call for an independent third-party facilitator to ensure accountability and transparency, work with key stakeholders to narrow the scope of issues, advance discussions, monitor progress and achieve a concrete solution.

FHCP looks forward to its continued participation in the process and working with all stakeholders to improve transparency, fairness and predictability between suppliers and Canada’s big retailers.