Canada\u2019s fruit and vegetable growers are facing significant strain. Trade disruptions, global instability, rising input costs, labour pressures, extreme weather, pests, and disease are making it increasingly difficult to remain viable as a grower in Canada.<\/p>\n
Food security cannot be taken for granted. Federal decisions on regulation, trade, labour, infrastructure, and program funding all affect whether Canada can maintain a secure supply of Canadian-grown fruit and vegetables.<\/p>\n
That is why FVGC is calling on the federal government to apply a food lens<\/strong> across federal decision-making. A food lens means assessing federal policies, regulations, and programs based on their impact on:<\/p>\n A food lens cannot be applied after decisions are made. It must shape how federal priorities are set, how risk is assessed, and how impacts on domestic food production are weighed.<\/p>\n The federal government\u2019s commitment to consider food security in Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Pesticides Regulatory Directorate (PRD) decision-making is an important step. However, food security must be considered across all federal departments and agencies.<\/p>\n FVGC recommends the Government of Canada:<\/strong><\/p>\n The financial situation of Canadian fruit and vegetable operations has deteriorated over the last decade. Existing Business Risk Management programs do not adequately meet the evolving needs of fruit and vegetable growers.<\/p>\n FVGC is calling for modernized BRM programs that support risk reduction, domestic food production, and food security.<\/p>\n Read more about FVGC\u2019s Business Risk Management recommendations.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”3. SECURING TRADE COMPETITIVENESS FOR CANADA\u2019S FRUIT AND VEGETABLE SECTOR” closed_toggle_text_color=”#63a704″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]\n Canada\u2019s fruit and vegetable sector is highly exposed to trade disruptions, border delays, import surges, and changes in international market access. Many fruits and vegetables are highly perishable and difficult to redirect once they are market-ready.<\/p>\n FVGC is calling for trade policies that reflect the realities of perishable production and support fair competition, reliable export access, and a strong domestic supply of Canadian-grown fruit and vegetables.<\/p>\n Read more about FVGC\u2019s trade recommendations.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”4. ENSURING LABOUR STABILITY FOR CANADA\u2019S FRESH PRODUCE SECTOR ” closed_toggle_text_color=”#63a704″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]\n Labour<\/strong><\/p>\n Canada\u2019s fruit and vegetable sector depends on access to workers to plant, manage, harvest, pack, and ship highly perishable crops. When labour is unavailable, delayed, or uncertain, growers face immediate operational risks, including lost crops, reduced production, and weakened competitiveness.<\/p>\n FVGC is calling for federal labour programs that protect workers while providing fair, timely, and consistent treatment for compliant employers.<\/p>\n
\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]\nThese are our policy priorities:<\/h3>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_accordion open_toggle_text_color=”#63a704″ closed_toggle_text_color=”#63a704″ toggle_icon=”||fa||900″ module_id=”Recommendations” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” toggle_level=”h2″ toggle_font=”|700|||||||” toggle_text_align=”left” link_option_url_new_window=”on” hover_enabled=”0″ custom_css_free_form=”#Recommendations ul li{|| margin-bottom: 1.6em;|| margin-left: 1em;||}||#Recommendations ul,||#Recommendations ol{|| padding-bottom: 0;||}” db_closeable=”on” db_initial_state=”all_closed” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_accordion_item title=”1. APPLYING A FOOD LENS TO POLICY MAKING” open=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]What is a food lens?<\/strong><\/p>\n
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\n[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”2. BUSINESS RISK MANAGEMENT” open_toggle_text_color=”#63a704″ closed_toggle_text_color=”#63a704″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]\n