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Archived - Briefing Package for CFIA Deputy Head, 2019

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February 2019

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Welcome Letter

February 27, 2019

Dear Dr. Mithani,

It is with great pleasure that I welcome you as President of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). As a science-based regulator, the CFIA has a broad mandate that encompasses food safety, animal health, plant health and international market access. I look forward to your leadership and support to advance the Agency's priority files to deliver on the commitments outlined by the Government on behalf of all Canadians.

Over my past year at the Agency, I have had the opportunity to work with the senior management team on a strategic plan that guides our work so that we are well positioned to manage emerging risks, respond to consumer demands and support industry as they compete in the global market. Responding to Today, Building for the Future is one of the key documents in the briefing package that we have put together for your information, along information related to our people, operating environment and key files.

Over the coming days, the senior management team will be available to provide more comprehensive briefings to ensure a smooth transition. Please know that you can count on me to support you every day in your role as President.

Again, welcome!

France Pégeot
Executive Vice President
Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Overview of

Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)

Legislative mandate

The CFIA reports to two ministers

President of the CFIA
Minister of Health
Minister of Agriculture & Agri-Food

Core responsibilities

Plant health, animal health, food safety, international trade

Plant health

Protect Canada's plant resource base

Protects Canada's plant resource base, environment and plant-related industries by:

Animal health

Protect Canada's animal resource base and Canadians from diseases

Minimizes risks to Canada's terrestrial and aquatic animal resource base, and ensures the safety of animal feeds, products and vaccines by:

Food safety

Contribute to safeguarding Canada's food supply

Develops and delivers programs and services to:

Contributes to consumer protection

International trade

Facilitate market access for Canada's plants, animals and food

The CFIA's strategic plan: Responding to Today, Building for the Future

Responding to Today, Building for the Future

Click on image for larger view
Building for the Future Snapshot. Description follows.

Description for Building for the Future Snapshot

Modern Regulatory Toolkit

Protect Canada's food, plant and animal resource-base while supporting innovation.

Outcome-based regulations and new compliance tools that focus on safety, allowing industry to innovate and the Agency to adapt in response to emerging risks.

Integrated Risk Management

Target resources to where they are needed most.

Better use of our data, reports and surveillance to identify trends, allowing us to focus on risk and support program design, planning, compliance and enforcement efforts.

Consistent and Efficient Inspections

Greater efficiency and agility to respond to emerging risks.

An inspection approach carried out nationally in a fair, consistent and predictable manner that is focused on regulatory outcomes and supported by mobile tools and guidance.

Digital-First Tools and Services

Embrace technology to make it easy to get information and services.

To equip industry with a full range of electronic services and information to comply with regulations and employees with the necessary tools to carry out their work effectively and efficiently.

Global Leader

Support international consensus to safeguard food, plant and animals while supporting market access.

To pursue improved international standards, fairness in trade practices, enhanced use of technology and regulatory cooperation.

CFIA's talented staff are engaged and ready for the changes

Ensure employees have the tools, training and a strong voice for changes

Engaging with industry and partner

Consider the perspectives of industry and our partners as we evolve

Planned spending

Resources: 5,944 Full time equivalents and planned spending of $699.1M in 2018-19

2018-19 Planned spending by business line summary

2018-19 Planned spending by business line summary. Description follows.

Description for 2018-19 Planned spending by business line summary
2018-19 Planned spending by business line summary
Program %
Plant Resources Program 13%
Animal Health and Zoonotics Program 19%
Food Safety 48%
International 2%
Internal Services 18%
Total 100%

CFIA's regional presence

Area and regional offices

Area and regional offices. Description follows.

Description - Area and regional offices
  • Western Area
    • Manitoba (Winnipeg)
    • Saskatchewan (Regina)
    • Alberta South (Calgary)
    • Albera North (Edmonton)
    • British Columbia Coast (Burnaby)
    • British Columbia Mainland (Burnaby)
  • Ontario Area
    • Southwest (London)
    • Central (Guelph)
    • Toronto (Downsview)
    • North East (Barrie)
  • Quebec Area
    • Montreal
    • St. Hyacinthe
    • Quebec City
  • Atlantic Area
    • New Brunswick (Fredericton)
    • Nova Scotia (Dartmoth)
    • Prince Edward Island (Charlottetown)
    • Newfoundland and Labrador (St. John's)
    • Area office (Moncton)

Approximately 5,944 full-time equivalents are employed across the country:

CFIA's partners

International Partners

Provincial, Territorial and Municipal Governments

Federal Departments and Agencies

Industry

Consumers

Agency Branches and Organizational Structure

Minister of Health/ Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

Senior Executive
Siddika Mithani

Siddika Mithani, President, Canadian Food Inspection Agency

France Pégeot

France Pégeot, Executive Vice-President, Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Delivery of CFIA mandate
Jaspinder Komal

Jaspinder Komal, Vice-President, Science Branch

Colleen Barnes A/Vice-President, Policy and Programs

Theresa Iuliano, Vice-President, Operations Branch

Fred Gorrell, Assistant Deputy Minister, International Affairs Branch

Nicole Bouchard-Steeves, Associate Vice-President, Operations

Amanda Jane (AJ) Preece, Vice-President, Innovation, Business and Service Development and Chief Information Officer

Corporate Services

Darlène de Gravina, Vice-President, Human Resources

Amanda Jane (AJ) Preece, Vice-President, Innovation, Business and Service Development and Chief Information Officer

Dominique Osterrath, Vice-President, Corporate Management and Chief Financial Officer

Jonathan Massey-Smith, A/Vice-President, Communications and Public Affairs

Joanne Butler, Chief Audit Executive and Head of Evaluation, Audit & Evaluation

Carole Bidal, Executive Director and Senior General Counsel, Legal Services

Integrity and Redress Secretariat

Merril Bawden, Chief Redress Officer, Integrity and Redress Secretariat

Policy and programs branch overview

2018-19 operating budget: $44.1M

# of FTEs: 343

Policy & programs branch organizational chart

Operations branch overview

2018-19 operating budget: $368.5M

# of FTEs: 3641

Operations branch organizational chart

International affairs and market access overview

2018-19 operating budget: $11.8M

# of FTEs: 85

International affairs and market access organizational chart

Innovation, business and service development branch overview

2018-19 operating budget: $36.5M

# of FTEs: 275

Innovation, business and service development branch organizational chart

Science branch overview

2018-19 operating budget: $115.4M

# of FTEs: 840

Science branch organizational chart

Corporate management branch overview

2018-19 operating budget: $31.2M

# of FTEs: 291

Corporate management branch organizational chart

Human resources branch overview

2018-19 operating budget: $32.8M

# of FTEs: 285

Human resources branch organizational chart

Communications and public affairs overview

2018-19 operating budget: $12.2M

# of FTEs: 100

Communications and public affairs organizational chart

Audit and evaluation branch overview

2018-19 operating budget: $3.2M

# of FTEs: 22

Audit and evaluation organizational chart

Integrity and redress overview

2018-19 operating budget: $2.9M

# of FTEs: 24

Integrity and redress organizational chart

Legal services overview

2018-19 operating budget: $0.9M

# of FTEs: 9

Legal services organizational chart

CFIA's Governance Structure

Senior Management Committee (SMC)

Chair(s): President / Executive Vice-President

Food Business Line Management Board (FBLMB)

Chair: ED DFSSMHD, PPB
Vice-Chair: TBD

Plant Business Line Management Board (PBLMB)

Chair: ED PHBD, PPB
Vice-Chair: TBD

Animal Health Business Line Management Board (AHBLMB)

Chair: ED AHD, PPB
Vice-Chair: TBD

Program and Policy Management Committee (PPMC)

Chair: VP PPB
Vice-Chair: VP Science

Strategic Priorities Oversight Committee (SPOC)

Chair(s): President / Executive Vice-President
Vice-Chair: VP IBSDB

Corporate Management Committee (CMC)

Chair: VP CMB
Vice-Chair: VP HRB

Information Governance Committee (IGC)

Chair: Chief Data and Risk Officer (CDRO)
Vice-Chair: ED PHBD, PPB

Business Integration Committee (BIC)

Chair: ED Science
Vice-Chair: ED CMB

Finance, Integration and Project Oversight Committee (FIPO)

Chair: ED CMB
Vice-Chair: ED IBSDB

Roles and responsibilities

When the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) was established in 1997, its enabling legislation, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Act, conferred upon it the status of a departmental corporation and not that of a department. Unlike a department, it has a distinct legal personality and its own specialized mandate and duties that are separate and distinct from those of the Minister responsible for the Agency. A department, on the other hand, does not have a legal personality or mandate of its own and exists only to support the Minister presiding over it. From a practical perspective, in a typical department, the powers flow from the Minister to the departmental officials whereas, in the case of CFIA, the majority of the powers are conferred directly on the Agency or its President.

Ministerial responsibility for the CFIA activities is divided between the Minister of Health and the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. Initially, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-food had the overall responsibility for the Agency. In 2013, with the transfer of control and supervision by way of an order made under the Public Service Rearrangement and Transfer of Duties Act, the Minister of Health assumed responsibility for and overall direction of CFIA. He or she now holds all powers, duties and functions that are assigned to the Minister relating to food safety under any Act of Parliament administered and enforced by CFIA. The Health Minister is responsible, although in an attenuated way, for actions taken by CFIA officials under legislative powers conferred on them directly. The Agriculture Minister has no responsibility for powers, duties or functions conferred directly on CFIA officials whether or not the authorities in question relate to food safety.

Minister of health

Health Canada has a broad mandate which is primarily grounded in the federal spending power. Under subsection 4(1) of the Department of Health Act, there are only two restrictions on the Minister's powers, duties and functions relating to the promotion and preservation of the health of Canadians: it must be a matter over which Parliament has jurisdiction and it must not be assigned by law to any other department, board or agency of the Government of Canada.

The Minister of Health has responsibility for all departments and agencies in the Health Portfolio, including the CFIA. As the Minister responsible for CFIA and its overall direction, he or she plays a leadership role in shaping new policy, program and financial decisions, particularly with respect to managing risks related to food safety. The Minister's role is to set broad policy direction. In enacting the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Act, Parliament did not intend that the Minister be involved in or directly responsible for the administration and enforcement of the program legislation (i.e. the Acts listed in section 11 of the CFIA Act).

The Minister of Health enables the Agency to continue its work protecting Canadians from food safety risks by, for example:

Minister of Agriculture and Agri-food

The Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food is responsible for the Agriculture Portfolio and is the lead on promoting the economic well-being of the agriculture and agri-food sector. With respect to the CFIA, the Minister of Agriculture is responsible for the non-food safety legislation administered and enforced by the CFIA, including the facilitation of market access, animal health and plant protection. The Minister of Agriculture enables the Agency to fulfill its non-food safety responsibilities by, for example:

The unique relationship of the CFIA to the Minister of Health and the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food often requires a collaborative and joint approach to advancing related and dependent initiatives as they cross areas of responsibilities, e.g., market access issues involving food safety and animal health issues that can potentially impact the safety of the food supply (e.g., antimicrobial resistance).

President

The President of the CFIA, who is the Chief Executive Officer by virtue of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Act, has the rank and all the powers of the deputy head of a department. He or she has the supervision over and direction of the Agency's work and staff and sets the terms and conditions of their employment and assigns their duties. The President may designate any person or class of persons as inspectors, analysts, graders, veterinary inspectors or other officers. Under section 7 of the CFIA Act, he or she may delegate to any person any power, duty or function that is conferred on him or her by any enactment and may choose by whom any powers delegated by the Minister will be exercised. The Act does not provide for sub-delegation.

Subsection 24(2) of the Interpretation Act, which allows a departmental employee to exercise the powers of the Minister responsible for the department, does not apply to CFIA. For Ministerial powers to be exercised by CFIA and its President, the powers must be delegated by the Minister with the exception of the specific authority of an inspector to exercise certain of the Minister's powers under the Health of Animals Act and the Plant Protection Act.

The President is responsible for supporting the Minister of Health and Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food in fulfilling their responsibilities. He or she provides leadership, promotes collaboration across the public service, and encourages innovation and a results-oriented organizational environment within the CFIA.

In this role, the President,

Powers of a Deputy Minister

The Deputy Minister of Health or Agriculture and Agri-food is appointed by the Governor in Council. Deputy Ministers are appointed "to hold office during pleasure and to be the deputy head of the department". Their powers are not as clearly defined as those of the President of the Agency. The role of a Deputy Minister is to support the Minister. He or she is responsible for ensuring sound public service advice and effective departmental management. The Deputy Minister is responsible under subsection 12.2(1) of the Financial Administration Act for delegating to any person any of his or her powers or functions in relation to human resources management. Under subsection (2) of the Act, any persons to whom powers of functions are delegated may sub-delegate them. The authority of the Deputy Minister to exercise the Minister's powers flows from subsection 24(2) of the Interpretation Act. A Deputy Minister may provide support for the Minister's portfolio responsibilities, if any.

CFIA Priorities

Framework: Responding to Today, Building for the Future

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is a risk-based organization and our risks are changing….so we need to change with them.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is strongly committed to its mission to safeguard food, animals and plants to enhance the health and well-being of Canada's people, environment and economy.

The existing control system has served us well, but it was developed in another time, when most of what was bought and sold originated in Canada, food was less processed and supply chains were simple.

The risks to food, animal health and plants have changed considerably in recent years and continue to change rapidly. At the same time, Canadian industry has to be more efficient and innovative to compete in a global economy.

It is in this context that the CFIA began to fundamentally change the way we manage risk, support industry's ability to compete globally, and embrace technology to provide more efficient and responsive service.

Building on the considerable work done to date, the Agency is renewing its commitment to ambitious priorities which will be implemented through specific projects and through the normal evolution of our day-to-day work.

Rapid Pace of Change

Technological advancements

Rapid and dramatic increases in the speed, volume and complexity of production have introduced new risks and hazards, and forced industries and regulators to rethink conventional approaches to prevention and oversight.

Today's highly efficient mass distribution and supply networks mean that problems can quickly become widespread.

At the same time, technological advances are creating tremendous opportunity for Canadian industry. Our highly skilled and technologically savvy workforce offers a potential competitive advantage in a global marketplace that is hungry for innovative products and processes.

Emerging science, sophisticated new technologies and more integrated surveillance information have enormous potential to improve our ability to assess, prevent and detect risks.

Finally, the CFIA's stakeholders and consumers exist in a digital world and increasingly expect service through multiple channels — paper-based systems are justifiably seen as inefficient.

Global trade of food, plants and animals

The global marketplace and consumer demand for new and exotic food and plants has significantly increased the amount of imported product into Canada — 70% of processed food and fresh fruits and vegetables, for example, are now imported.

Dynamic international supply chains have exponentially increased sourcing of individual components from more places across the world. Consolidation in the food and agricultural industries add further complexity for regulatory oversight.

Human, animal and plant ecosystem issues are increasingly intertwined as the movement of people, plants, animals and food heightens the risk of transmitting pests and diseases. Climate change is likely to exacerbate already difficult risks to manage. Increases in animal health diseases, such as Avian Influenza, require significant CFIA resources to respond, while plant pests, such as Emerald Ash Borer, can become almost impossible to eradicate once naturalized in our ecosystem.

The opportunities provided by globalization depend heavily on the ability of exporters to maintain existing markets, and to gain access to new markets. More than ever, exporters rely on governments to bring consistency, best practices and fairness to international trade.

Responding to the Changes: Our Strategic Priorities

To maximize its capacity to respond to risk in today's world, and in the years to come, the CFIA must continuously improve and adapt its business model in a number of areas.

The CFIA must:

To make these priorities a reality, the CFIA will:

CFIA Goals

CFIA has established five goals, each with associated projects and activities:

1. Outcome-based regulations, with new compliance promotion tools

To meet this goal we will:

2. New risk management tools, analytics and surveillance to inform resource allocations and enforcement priorities

To meet this goal we will:

3. A consistent inspection approach focused on regulatory outcomes and supported by mobile tools and guidance

To meet this goal we will:

4. Electronic access as the preferred method of requesting and receiving services

To meet this goal we will:

5. Pursue improved international standards, fairness in trade practices, enhanced use of technology and regulatory cooperation

To meet this goal we will:

What does this mean moving forward?

The CFIA is moving in this direction for all its business lines. It started with food, but changes are taking place for plant and animal health as well.

Key Government Priorities related to the CFIA

Agri-Food economic strategy table (agri-food EST)

Budget 2017 announced six economic strategy tables to study and make recommendations on how to stimulate innovation, growth and competitiveness of Canadian industry. The Agri-Food EST was tasked with identifying sector specific bottlenecks and developing an action plan to achieve their goals.

The Agri-Food EST explored key issues such as regulations, innovation, infrastructure and market access. It also set its own economic growth targets, including:

The EST reports were made public on September 25, 2018.

Federal regulatory review of agri-food and aquaculture

The CFIA led the federal regulatory review of the agri-food and aquaculture sector. The reviews focused on supporting innovation and business investment through a more agile, transparent and responsive regulatory system. [Redacted text].

Status of the roadmap:

Next steps:

2018 Fall economic statement (FES)

The FES includes several measures that will help to deliver progress on some of the recommendations made by the Economic Strategy Tables. The following outlines CFIA's implications:

1. Key investments in trade and market access

2. Removing barriers to trade within Canada

3. Regulatory reform agenda and early "wins" from the regulatory reviews

Regulatory priorities

Delivering on priorities: 2019 and beyond

Subject to ministerial approval, the Agency outlines its regulatory priorities twice a year in its Forward Regulatory Plan (FRP), which is posted on the Agency's website every fall and spring. The FRP contributes to a predictable and transparent regulatory environment for regulated parties, stakeholders and the public. The last posting of the FRP was on October 1st 2018.

The 2019-2021 update to the Forward Regulatory Plan was delivered to Ministers on February 20th with a March 22nd approval date. Following approval, it will be posted externally on April 1st.

The Agency has a number of key regulatory deliverables it anticipates advancing for consideration from now until June 2019, for example, the beer sector publication in CGII. Most were raised by regulated parties during the recent consultations related to the regulatory review process and are already captured under the October 1, 2018 update to the FRP. Individual briefings will be provided on the regulatory proposals the Agency intends to advance for consideration during this period. Of note, the proposals may fall under either the purview of the Minister of Health or the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. In some cases, the proposals may fall under both.

Legislative amendments

The Fertilizers Act will be amended to replace references to the North American Free Trade Agreement with the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). Amendments related to the ratification and implementations of CUSMA are being led by Global Affairs Canada. [Redacted text].

Overview of the Financial Situation

Financial Situation

Setting the context

The CFIA currently manages a budget of over $800 million. The Agency expenditures have two mains envelopes: operating and investment. The operating envelope generally represents over 90% of the agency's total resources – the majority of this envelope is dedicated to the workforce (over 80% for pay expenditures). The investment plan (IP) represent the balance of the agency's resources (less than 10%) and varies depending on funding for temporary initiatives.

The agency's financial situation has tightened in recent years due to a number of austerity measures. For fiscal year 2018-19, the agency projects an un-earmarked operating surplus of $8M, or 1% of budget, which is less than the target operating carry-forward of 2% to 5% as suggested by TBS.

On the IP front, the agency manages considerable assets and technology projects within a relatively small funding envelope which is creating challenges in balancing requirements to address rust-out of equipment, fleet and real property while supporting innovation projects. With a base IP budget around $20M excluding sunsetting project funding, there is a considerable funding gap. The agency is leveraging government wide initiatives, such as the federal science and technology infrastructure initiative, to address some of the critical infrastructure gaps.

The re-spendable revenues are relatively stable at $56M per year. User fees are at a fraction of the cost and largely unchanged since the establishment of the Agency in 1997. There have been a number of challenges which have prevented the agency's ability to update its service fees.

In addition to constraint measures which have been compressing branch resources, the agency is undertaking proactive reviews, such as the recent CFIA review, to find efficiencies and re-allocate resources to fund priorities, highest programmatic risks and emerging pressures.

Financial particularities at CFIA

Statutory revenue spending authority

The revenue spending authority provided by the CFIA Act allows the Agency to spend revenues from its operations and carry forward any unspent amount to future years. This is a very valuable financial management authority.

Emergency reserve

The Agency permanently sets aside $5.8M annually from its Operating budget to deal with emergencies. Any unused amount can be carried forward to the next fiscal year for reallocation.

Grants and contributions (G&C)

As the total G&C payments in CFIA is less than $5M, it is funded from the operation vote instead of a separate transfer payments vote.

Programs include: the Federal Assistance Program (FAP) contribution program typically issues approximately $1M per year to fund activities, performed by academia and not-for-profit organizations, that are aligned with the Agency's core mandate, and the Innovation Solution Canada grant program - $650K per year.

Statutory animal and plant compensation payments

Compensation payments are issued to producers when animals or plants are destroyed for disease/pest control purposes. The Agency has statutory authority to issue these payments directly from the Consolidated Revenue Fund and therefore these do not affect the Agency's operating budget.

Agency centrally managed activities (CMA)

The Agency centrally manages non-discretionary expenditures, such as software licences fees, payment in lieu of tax, etc. The annual spending for the CMA is approximately $52M.

Agency spending trend

A number of CFIA's initiatives are financed by temporary and fenced funding which require periodic and repeated renewal. [Redacted text].

Agency spending trend

Agency spending trend

Description for Agency spending trend
Fiscal year 2016- 2017 2017- 2018 2018- 2019 [Redacted text] [Redacted text] [Redacted text]
Sunset Programs [Redacted text] [Redacted text] [Redacted text]
Voted
($ millions)
624.4 638.5 632.7 [Redacted text] [Redacted text] [Redacted text]
Statutory
($ millions)
161.5 100.5 179.4 [Redacted text] [Redacted text] [Redacted text]
Total / Forecasted
($ millions)
785.9 739.0 812.1 [Redacted text] [Redacted text] [Redacted text]
FTEs 6,101 6,271 6,122 [Redacted text] [Redacted text] [Redacted text]
Sunset Programs - FTEs [Redacted text] [Redacted text] [Redacted text]
Total FTEs 6,101 6,271 6,122 [Redacted text] [Redacted text] [Redacted text]

Departmental Results Framework

Core responsibilities

Safe food, healthy plants and animals

Departmental results

Departmental results indicator

Program inventory

Overview of Human Resource Management

CFIA as a Separate Agency

Background

Overview of CFIA Employees

Bargaining unit - PIPSC – IN
Classification Employee population Date collective agreement signed Collective agreement expiry date Date notice to bargain served
CS 218 Aug. 21, 2018 May 31, 2018 Aug. 23, 2018
Bargaining unit - PIPSC – S&A
Classification Employee population Date collective agreement signed Collective agreement expiry date Date notice to bargain served
AG (SR) 169 N/A Table Note * Sept 30, 2014 Sept 23, 2014
BI (SR) 606 N/A Table Note * Sept 30, 2014 Sept 23, 2014
CH (SR) 64 N/A Table Note * Sept 30, 2014 Sept 23, 2014
CO 1 N/A Table Note * Sept 30, 2014 Sept 23, 2014
ES 160 N/A Table Note * Sept 30, 2014 Sept 23, 2014
PG 23 N/A Table Note * Sept 30, 2014 Sept 23, 2014
SE 68 N/A Table Note * Sept 30, 2014 Sept 23, 2014
SR 183 N/A Table Note * Sept 30, 2014 Sept 23, 2014
Total - 1,274

Table Notes

Table note *

Tentative Agreement in Principle was reached on December 15, 2018 and is currently being ratified. Once signed, the Collective Agreement will have an expiry date of September 30, 2018.

Return to table note *  referrer

Bargaining unit - PIPSC – VM
Employee population Date collective agreement signed Collective agreement expiry date Date notice to bargain served
611 Aug. 8, 2018 Sept 30, 2018 Sept. 28, 2018
Bargaining unit - PSAC
Classification Employee population Date collective agreement signed Collective agreement expiry date Date notice to bargain served
AS 766 July 16, 2018 Dec. 31, 2018 Aug. 28, 2018
CR 453 July 16, 2018 Dec. 31, 2018 Aug. 28, 2018
EG 2,517 July 16, 2018 Dec. 31, 2018 Aug. 28, 2018
FI 94 July 16, 2018 Dec. 31, 2018 Aug. 28, 2018
GL 60 July 16, 2018 Dec. 31, 2018 Aug. 28, 2018
GS 5 July 16, 2018 Dec. 31, 2018 Aug. 28, 2018
GT 4 July 16, 2018 Dec. 31, 2018 Aug. 28, 2018
IS 104 July 16, 2018 Dec. 31, 2018 Aug. 28, 2018
PM 213 July 16, 2018 Dec. 31, 2018 Aug. 28, 2018
SI 3 July 16, 2018 Dec. 31, 2018 Aug. 28, 2018
Total 4,219
Unrepresented Employees, as of December 31, 2018
Classification Employee Population
AM 3
DM 2
EX 157
IM 92
OM 3
PE 122
Student 93
Total 472
CFIA Population as of December 31, 2018
# of Employees Percent of CFIA Population
PIPSC – IN 218 3%
PIPSC – S&A 1,274 19%
PIPSC – VM 611 9%
PSAC 4,219 62%
Unrepresented 472 7%
Total 6,794 100%

CFIA Demographic Picture

Population by employee type

Population by Area. Description follows.

Description for population by employee type
Employee Type Number of Employees
Indeterminate 5814
Student 137
Term 860

Population by area and payroll status

Population by area and payroll status. Description follows.

Description for population by area and payroll status
Area Active Leave with Pay Leave of Absence Suspended
West 1600 2 123
Quebec 969 3 89 4
Ontario 1313 2 74
Atlantic 706 1 36 6
National Capital Region 1734 12 131

Key Partners and Committees

Committees

Expert Advisory Committee

Background

The role Expert Advisory Committee (EAC) is to provide the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) with objective professional and technical advice on key issues related to the CFIA's three business lines: food safety, animal health and plant health. It was established in response to the Report of the Independent Investigator into the 2008 Listeriosis Outbreak in order to formalize CFIA's engagement with industry, as well as other federal departments and agencies.

Next steps
Current membership roster

Ministerial Advisory Board

Background

The role of the Ministerial Advisory Board (MAB) is to advise the Minister of Health on any matter within the responsibilities of the CFIA. It was created under section 10 of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) Act.

Current status
Next steps
Current membership roster

All Chairs Value Chain Roundtable

All Chairs

Federal-Provincial-Territorial Relations

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency's (CFIA) mandate includes responsibilities that span both the Health and Agriculture portfolios. The Agency has a reporting relationship to both the Minister of Health (food safety) and Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food (non-food safety, including economic and trade, plant health and animal health) which is unique in federal-provincial-territorial relations.

Health

Agriculture and agri-food

Annex 2 - Federal-provincial-territorial regulatory ADMS' work plan priorities 2018-2019Footnote 3

Key priority areas
1. National traceability system (NTS)

The CFIA is working with provincial and territorial governments to advance the NTS that seeks to mitigate the impacts of livestock disease outbreaks/sanitary issues and to support market access. The ability to follow an animal or group of animals from one point in the supply chain to another will help reduce response times to animal emergency or outbreak, and lead to protection of animal health, public health, and food safety.

2. Safe food for Canadians regulations (SFCR)

The SFCR came into force on January 15, 2019 and will require new licensing, preventive control and traceability requirements for food businesses that import or prepare food for export or to be sent across provincial or territorial borders. The SFCR will result in safer food and allow for faster removal of unsafe food from the marketplace.

3. Canadian plant health council (CPHC)

The CPHC is being set up under the Plant and Animal Health Strategy for Canada, which was developed by FPT governments, industry and academia. The CPHC will prioritize plant health activities including plant pest control, plant sector inputs (seed, fertilizer) and pathways for pests to establish and spread.

New Focus Areas
4. Animal Health Emergency Management (EM)

Disease outbreaks can have immense economic impacts with negative trade implications. [Redacted text].

5. Regulatory Alignment

The objective is to align agri-food domestic regulations across Canada to improve competitiveness and potentially facilitate interprovincial trade. By eliminating regulatory duplication and barriers, the agri-food sector will increase its productivity and profitability and be better positioned to attract investment and governments may reduce administrative burden.

6. Innovation Approvals

The CFIA, in collaboration with provinces and territories, is examining regulatory pathways to speed the review and approval of innovations (e.g. plants with novel traits). The Agency is developing a modern framework with the goal of shortening the approval time for innovations in plant and animal products and technologies.

7. Enhanced Collaboration

PTs have highlighted a need to engage with FPT ministries outside the agriculture and food mandate in order to address issues that can limit innovation and competitiveness of the sector (e.g. labour, transportation systems, digital infrastructure, pesticides, inconsistent standards and labelling requirements). To date, FPT engagement with Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency has been enhanced to address regulatory concerns with pesticide re-evaluations.

The key industry stakeholders

Food Focussed
Organization Brief Description Contact Name Phone Email
Canadian Meat Council (CMC) CMC is a national association representing federally-inspected meat packers and processors. [Redacted text]
President and CEO
1545 Carling Avenue, Suite 407
Ottawa, ON K1Z 8P9
[Redacted text] [Redacted text]
Canadian Poultry and Egg Processors' Council (CPEPC) CPEPC represents Canadian processors, packagers and distributors of chicken and turkey meat, graders and further processors of eggs, and hatcheries. [Redacted text]
President and Chief Executive Officer
1545 Carling Avenue, Suite 400
Ottawa, ON K1Z 8P9
[Redacted text] [Redacted text]
Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) CPMA represents companies that are active in the marketing of fresh fruits and fresh vegetables in Canada from the farm gate to the dinner plate. [Redacted text]
President
162 Cleopatra Drive
Ottawa, ON K2G 5X2
[Redacted text] [Redacted text]
Canadian Supply Chain Food Safety Coalition (CSCFSC) CSCFSC represents all segments of the Canadian food chain from input suppliers through primary production, processing, manufacturing, transportation, distribution to final marketing at retail or in food service. [Redacted text]
Executive Director
19 Elm Street
Ottawa, ON K1R 6M9
[Redacted text] [Redacted text]
Dairy Processors Association of Canada (DPAC) DPAC representing the public policy and regulatory interests of the Canadian dairy processing industry. [Redacted text]
President and CEO
220 Laurier Avenue West, Suite 500
Ottawa, ON K1P 5Z9
[Redacted text] [Redacted text]
Food and Beverage Canada (FBC) FBC is an association of seven regional food and beverage manufacturing associations from across the country and other leading industry and stakeholder members. [Redacted text]
CEO
[Redacted text] [Redacted text]
Food and Consumers Products of Canada (FCPC) FCPC represents the Canadian food, beverage and consumer products industry. [Redacted text]
Chief Executive Officer
2700 Matheson Boulevard E
Mississauga, ON
L4W 5M2
[Redacted text] [Redacted text]
Food Processors of Canada (FPC) FPC represents food processing companies in Canada, focussing on regulations concerning the sizes of packaged foods sold. [Redacted text]
President and CEO
900-350 Sparks Street
Ottawa, ON K1R 7S8
[Redacted text] info@foodprocessorsofcanada.ca
Plant Focussed
Organization Brief Description Contact Name Phone Email
Canadian Horticultural Council (CHC) The Canadian Horticultural Council represents fruit and vegetable growers across Canada involved in the production of over 120 different types of crops on over 14,000 farms. [Redacted text]
President
2200 Prince of Wales Drive, Suite 102
Ottawa, ON K2E 6Z9
[Redacted text] admin@hortcouncil.ca
Canada Grains Council (CGC) CGC represents all aspects of Canada's grains sector – from developers, to exporters, to processors and producers. [Redacted text]
President
P.O. Box 53163
Rideau Centre RO
Ottawa, ON, K1N 1C5
[Redacted text] office@canadagrainscouncil.ca
president@canadagrainscouncil.ca
Canola Council of Canada (CCC) CCC represents Canada's canola growers, crop input suppliers, grain handling companies, exporters, processors, food and feed manufacturers and governments. [Redacted text]
President
400-167 Lombard Avenue
Winnipeg, MB R3B 0T6
[Redacted text] [Redacted text]
CropLife Canada CropLife Canada represents the major bio-tech developers in Canada. [Redacted text]
President
350 Sparks Street
Suite 202
Ottawa, ON K1R 7S8
[Redacted text] [Redacted text]
Fertilizer Canada Fertilizer Canada represents manufacturers, wholesale and retail distributors of nitrogen, phosphate, potash and sulphur fertilizers. [Redacted text]
President and CEO
350 Sparks St #907
Ottawa, ON K1R 7S8
[Redacted text] [Redacted text]
Pulse Canada Pulse Canada is the national association of growers, traders and processors of lentils, dry peas, beans and chickpeas. [Redacted text]
Chief Executive Officer
1212-220 Portage Avenue
Winnipeg, MB R3C 0A5
[Redacted text] [Redacted text]
Canadian Seed Growers' Association (CSGA) CSGA represents 3,700 seed growers, and provides leadership as to monitor and certify pedigreed seed for all agricultural crops in Canada except potatoes. [Redacted text]
President
P.O. Box 8455
Ottawa, ON K1G 3T1
[Redacted text] [Redacted text]
Canada Wood Canada Wood represents Canadian wood products manufacturers. It works to expand the offshore export opportunities of Canadian wood products in traditional and emerging markets. [Redacted text]
General Manager
Care of Coast Forest Products Association
Suite 1200, 1090 West Pender Street
Vancouver, BC V6E 2N7
[Redacted text] [Redacted text]
Animal Focussed
Organization Brief Description Contact Name Phone Email
Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance (CAIA) The Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance (CAIA) represents the interests of Canadian aquaculture operators, feed companies and suppliers, as well as provincial finfish and shellfish aquaculture associations. [Redacted text]
Executive Director
P.O. Box 81100
45 O'Connor St, World Exchange Plaza
Ottawa, ON K1P 1B1
[Redacted text] [Redacted text]
Canadian Cattlemen's Association (CCA) CCA represents Canada's 60,000 beef farms and feedlots. [Redacted text]
President
#180, 6815 – 8th Street North East
Calgary, AB T2E 7H7
[Redacted text] feedback@cattle.ca Ottawa-admin@cattle.ca
Canadian Pork Council (CPC) CPC is a federation of provincial pork producers' organizations comprehensively representative of farmers in the business of raising hogs. [Redacted text]
Chair of the Board of Directors
900-220 Laurier Avenue W
Ottawa, ON K1P 5Z9
[Redacted text] [Redacted text]
Fisheries Council of Canada (FCC) FCC represents Canadian fish and seafood product processors and exporters. [Redacted text]
President
170 Laurier Avenue W
Ottawa, ON K1P 5V5
[Redacted text] [Redacted text]
Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) DFC represents dairy farmers in Canada focusing on labelling and consumer protection issues, as well as standards of identity related to dairy products. [Redacted text]
President
21 Florence Street
Ottawa, ON K2P 0W6 
[Redacted text] [Redacted text]
National Cattle Feeders' Association (NCFA) NCFA represents Canadian cattle feeders on national issues, and works in collaboration with other cattle organizations across the country. [Redacted text]
President and CEO
11010 46th Street South East, Suite 6
Calgary, AB T2C 1G4
[Redacted text] [Redacted text]
Other (cross cutting)
Organization Brief Description Contact Name Phone Email
Canadian Association of Importers and Exporters (IE Canada) I.E. Canada represents importers and exporters and committed to ensuring that trade regulations, policies and processes allow business to import and export efficiently. [Redacted text]
President
P.O. Box 189, Station Don Mills
Don Mills, ON, M3C 2S2
[Redacted text] [Redacted text]
info-iecanada@iecanada.com
Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) CFIB represents the interests of the small business community in Canada, including food producers. It advocates for tax fairness, labour laws and the reduction of unnecessary regulatory burden. [Redacted text]
President, CEO & Chair
401-4141 Yonge Street
Toronto, ON M2P2A6
[Redacted text] [Redacted text]
Retail Council of Canada (RCC) RCC represents more than 43,000 store fronts of all retail formats across Canada, including department, specialty, discount, independent and online merchants. [Redacted text]
Chief Executive Officer
1881 Yonge Street, Suite 800
Toronto, ON M4S 3C4
[Redacted text] [Redacted text]
Union des producteurs agricoles (UPA) UPA represents 43,000 agricultural producers in Quebec and is the official voice of all Quebec farmers. [Redacted text]
General President
555, boulevard Roland-Therrien, bureau 100
Longueuil, QC J4H3Y9
[Redacted text] upa@upa.qc.ca

Key Files Food Safety

Food Safety

The Safe Food for Canadians Regulations

On January 15, 2019, the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR) came into force, marking a milestone in food safety for Canada. The SFCR improves safety by focusing on prevention and allowing for faster removal of unsafe food from the marketplace. The regulations replace 14 commodity-specific regulations and apply consistent, outcome-based requirements to all food businesses that import into Canada or prepare for interprovincial trade or export.

The SFCR enables the implementation of other agency priorities, including standard inspections, risk-based resource allocation, digital service delivery and positions Canada to be a global leader in aligning to international standards.

On January 15, 2019, sectors that were previously subject to CFIA regulations (meat, fish dairy, eggs, fruit and vegetables, maple, honey) needed a SFCR license and preventive control plan (fresh fruit and vegetables have additional year for preventive controls). Requirements will be phased in for other sectors over a period of 12-30 months. The Agency has issued over 3000 safe food for Canadians licenses and the national service centre answered approximately 5000 telephone enquiries.

Next steps:

Raw breaded chicken

Salmonella illness rates have been rising steadily. Raw breaded chicken products have been a particular source of illness because they appear cooked. In March 2018, CFIA issued a directive to industry to bring salmonella to below detectable levels by April 1, 2019. Industry has recently asked for a 1-year extension citing problems purchasing and installing cooking equipment, which CFIA denied due to the gravity of the public health issue.

Next steps:

Food labelling modernization (FLM)

FLM will bring labelling consistency in a number of important areas for consumers, including: date marking, origin of imported food, legibility, dealer name, and address. It will bring more flexibility for industry, including moving to more outcome-based rules, reducing requirements, and use of incorporation by reference to be able to respond more quickly to a changing marketplace. [Redacted text].

Next steps:

Vodka standard

Changes to the vodka standard to allow greater flexibility in what can be called "vodka" were announced in a government of Canada news release in November 2018, as part of federal actions to enhance economic competitiveness and improve trade between provinces and territories. [Redacted text]. CFIA has released a notice of intent for consultation.

Next steps:

Beer

Changes to the beer standard to allow greater flexibility in what can be called "beer" were published in CGI in 2018, [Redacted text]. Industry has requested this change.

Next Steps:

Modernized slaughter inspection program in hogs

The CFIA is modernizing the inspection system for federally registered hog slaughter establishments. The Modernized Slaughter Inspection Program (MSIP) aligns with the Agency's modernization initiative and is modeled after the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) HACCP-Based Inspection Models Project (HIMP). Over fifteen years ago, the CFIA implemented modernized inspection in poultry slaughter with excellent food safety outcomes. MSIP in hogs is a continuation of this modernization program.

The MSIP in hogs is an inspection model that would shift the focus of the CFIA inspectors from a routine defect detection role, to testing and verification of companies' systems to identify and control risks. Under MSIP, the industry will present pre-screened carcasses to CFIA inspectors for further inspection before the final carcass wash to ensure that the carcasses meet the regulatory requirements. MSIP will better align Canada's approach with the US, as it is similar to the US inspection model. Active involvement of agency employees, management, union, industry and academia at every step is the cornerstone of this project.

Next steps:

Animal health

African swine fever (ASF)

ASF, a reportable disease under the Health of Animals Act, is a contagious viral swine disease and can cause high mortality rates in infected domestic and wild pigs. While there is no human health risk associated with it, its introduction into Canada will have major impact on the industry, the Canadian economy and swine sector. While there have been no reported cases of ASF in North America to date its rapid spread in Asia and some European countries is raising concern. Spread is occurring through the movement of people and contaminated things such as meat and animal feed. In response, the CFIA is monitoring the situation in China and Europe and has recently initiated preparedness planning through a National Response team. This team is dedicated to ensuring appropriate measures are taken in preventing the introduction of ASF and that appropriate laboratory and field response capacity is available in Canada.

Next steps:

Bovine tuberculosis in British Columbia (bovine TB)

In November 2018, the CFIA announced that it was launching an investigation into a case of bovine TB in British Columbia following detection in a beef cow that was presented for slaughter at a federally registered facility. Disease response is well underway but can take an extended period of time (approximately one to two years) for this disease. While Canada is considered to be officially free of bovine TB today, isolated cases do occur. There is no risk to the food supply or to human health due to the comprehensive meat inspection system and milk pasteurization in Canada. The CFIA is continuing to work closely with the producers, industry associations, and provincial and federal agricultural and health authorities throughout the investigation. Regular updates are published on the CFIA website.

Next steps:

Humane transportation

The CFIA has the regulatory authority, under the Health of Animals Regulations, for the humane transportation of all animals transported into, out of, or within Canada. Following several years of extensive consultations with stakeholders, the CFIA is proposing amendments to Part XII of the Health of Animals Regulations. These proposed amendments will modernize the animal transport regulations in order to better align with international standards, best industry practices, and current scientific knowledge regarding animal welfare during transportation. On December 3, 2016, the proposed amendments were published in Part I of the Canada Gazette. Publication of the adjusted regulatory amendments in Canada Gazette, Part II occurred on February 20, 2019.

Hatchery Regulations

These proposed amendments to the Hatchery Regulations would replace and repeal the Hatchery Regulations, the Hatchery Exclusion Regulations, and parts of the Health of Animals Regulations by consolidating the requirements for operating licensed poultry hatchery establishments in Canada into a single part of the Health of Animals Regulations, under the Health of Animals Act. The regulatory proposal would also result in a modern, outcome-based regulatory framework that would allow the CFIA and the hatchery sector to keep pace with advances in science and technology; enable appropriate monitoring and controls for current, emerging and future pathogenic organisms of concern; and facilitate international trade. [Redacted text].

Feed regulatory modernization

The CFIA's feed regulatory framework has been identified as a modernization priority given that the last comprehensive renewal of the Feeds Regulations occurred in 1983. The CFIA initiated a comprehensive review of the Feeds Regulations in 2012. As part of its on-going regulatory development and consultation processes, over the past 18 months the CFIA posted a number of proposals related to maximum nutrient values and maximum contaminant levels in feed for public review and comment. The CFIA has reviewed and assessed stakeholder responses from the commercial feed industry, ingredient suppliers, livestock producers, academia and FPT governments. Summary reports of the consultations have been published on the CFIA website. The next major consultation will take place following pre-publication of the formal regulatory proposal in the Canada Gazette, Part I [Redacted text].

Salmonella has been included in the scope of the consultation concerning contaminant standards for biological hazards in feed. Salmonella, one of the most significant bacterial pathogens of public and animal health concern that can be transmitted in livestock feeds, has been of particular interest to the feed industry. Industry has been calling on the CFIA to reconsider the longstanding policy regarding the interpretation of compliance and the enforcement measures required in cases where Salmonella contamination of feed is detected. In response to comments received during the consultation, the CFIA will establish an outcome-based standard for Salmonella that will be added directly to the Feeds Regulations, indicating that feeds shall not contain Salmonella that is likely to be deleterious to livestock or present a risk to human health. Dialogue with industry is on-going and supporting policy/industry guidance is being prepared by the CFIA and will be shared with stakeholders for review and comment in the lead up to the pre-publication of the proposed amended regulations.

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) program changes

CWD is a progressive, fatal disease that affects the central nervous system of both captive and wild North American cervids (deer, elk, etc.). While there is no evidence to suggest that the disease can be transmitted to humans, it is not recommended that humans use or eat any tissue which may have come from an infected animal.

CWD is currently endemic in Saskatchewan and parts of Alberta. Efforts to make changes to the CWD program began in 2012 when the CFIA concluded that efforts to eradicate CWD (depopulation with associated compensation) were ineffective. [Redacted text].

On April 1, 2018, changes to the CFIA program were implemented; producers that are not taking preventive measures through enrollment in the Voluntary Herd Certification Program (VHCP) are no longer eligible for CFIA response and associated compensation if their herds become infected.

[Redacted paragraph].

On September 10, 2018, a farmed cervid in Quebec was confirmed to be positive for CWD, representing the first case of CWD in Eastern Canada. The CFIA engaged with both the Quebec Ministre des Forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs (MFFP) and the Ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation du Québec to implement an aggressive multi-pronged response in both the farmed deer and the surrounding wild deer in an attempt to eradicate this first incursion from the Province of Quebec. Depopulation on the premises is complete.

Animal Health Canada

In 2018, industry formally proposed a Federal-Provincial-Territorial-industry partnership with Animal Health Canada (AHC), to leverage combined resources to strengthen and enhance readiness for animal health related issues in Canada. AHC proposes to cover risk management in animal disease prevention, preparedness, and response in Canada. Industry, under the leadership of the National Farmed Animal Health and Welfare Council (NFAHWC), engaged with the CFIA and AAFC on this proposal. Both the CFIA and AAFC are supportive and have allocated human resources to assist with further development of the proposal via an Animal Health Canada Working Group under the NFAHWC. Certain aspects of the AHC model are being tested.

Next steps:

Application for negligible risk status for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE)

BSE is a progressive, fatal disease of the nervous system of cattle that is associated with the presence of an abnormal protein called a prion. When Canada discovered its first domestic case of BSE in 2003, borders were immediately closed for Canadian cattle, sheep, goats, and bison, as well as products from these animals. Program initiatives were put in place to manage risks to human health, animal health, and market access.

The World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) evaluates countries and assigns them one of three categories of risk for BSE: negligible, controlled or undetermined. Under the WOAH criteria, a country can be categorized as having a "negligible BSE risk" if it has never had a case of BSE in a domestic animal, or if any infected domestic animals were born more than 11 years ago. Canada has held controlled status since it was first evaluated by the WOAH. Once Canada achieves negligible risk for BSE, it would be unlikely that Canada would modify any of the BSE controls presently in place, however there would be an opportunity to gain additional export markets. The first date of the WOAH review cycle that Canada could apply for negligible risk status is July of 2020. CFIA staff is working to collect and analyze data in order to put the best possible submission forward at that time. There is no guarantee that the negligible risk status will be granted.

Plant health

Fertilizers Regulations

Amendments to the Rertilizers Regulations are being proposed to introduce a risk-based approach focusing on strengthening regulatory controls for product safety, environmental sustainability, and consumer protection. The regulatory package was approved by Treasury Board on November 29, 2018 and pre-published in CGI on December 8th. The 75-day comment period closed February 21, 2019. There was significant outreach with industry during the comment period.

Next steps:

Joint AAFC/CFIA consultation on proposed amendments to the Plant Breeders' Rights (PBR) Regulations

General support has been received from stakeholders, including the producer community, seed industry, seed growers, and the PBR advisory committee, to advance consultations on proposals that will inform possible amendments to the PBR Regulations. These changes have the potential to encourage greater investment and innovation in the Canadian cereals sector (wheat, barley, and oats), known as "Value Creation". Although many farm organizations are supportive of advancing these consultations, it is expected that the National Farmers Union (NFU) and the Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission (SWDC) will be opposed. These two organizations hold the position that only the public sector (AAFC and agriculture universities) should be releasing new seed varieties, excluding private sector participation/investment. From Nov 2018 to Jan 2019, joint AAFC/CFIA face-to-face consultation sessions have been held in Edmonton, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Ottawa, and Charlottetown. Additionally, AAFC/CFIA officials have presented the concepts at several producer events in Jan/Feb 2019 (i.e. Crop Sphere, Ag Days, Farm Tech, Crop Connect).

Next steps:

Canadian plant health council

The multi-partner Canadian plant health council (FPT governments, industry and academia) established in October 2018 continues to focus their efforts in developing a two year work plan for implementation of plant health focused activities from the plant and animal health strategy for Canada. Bill Anderson, as the Chief Plant Health Officer for Canada, represents the CFIA on the council. Rebecca Lee, Executive Director of the Canadian Horticultural Council and David Feindel, Director of Plant and Bee Health Surveillance of the Alberta Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry have been selected as co-chairs – demonstrating partnership in action.

Through a prioritization process of potential activities, council reached consensus on three themes and developed draft project proposals for further work plan development: surveillance, emergency response management, and biosecurity.

Next steps:

International affairs

International strategic plan (ISP)

The International Affairs Branch (IAB) has developed an international strategic plan (ISP) for areas under the Agency's mandate, which includes agriculture and agri-food, aquatic animals including fish and seafood products, forestry and forestry products, and horticulture. In addition to other government departments such as Global Affairs Canada, Natural Resources Canada, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, the ISP has also been consulted with key health and agriculture portfolio partners, including Agriculture and Agri-Foods Canada, Health Canada, and the Public Health Agency of Canada. The ISP aligns with the programme inventory of the Departmental Plan.

Next steps:

For specific market access files, a separate briefing will be scheduled.

Date modified: