Food and Beverage Ontario

FBO Members Board of Directors Chief Executive Officer Executive Committee Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer, Secretary Ontario Food and Beverage Advisory Council Regulatory Modernization and Simplification Team (2016) Ontario Brand Team (2016) Membership and Industry Relations Team Careers & Education Implementation Team (CIT) Innovation Implementation Team (IIT) Food and Beverage Ontario Governance

FBO continues to grow and build a strong brand… Over 170 members Our members are from all of the F&B processing subsectors and we have a good cross-section of small, medium and large firms. FBO members represent a very significant portion of sector revenue generated and the number of people employed within food and beverage processing in Ontario. We are rolling out an aggressive member and industry engagement strategy in –4 regional events –Golf Tournament –Queen’s Park Day –AGM & Conference (Steam Whistle Brewery June 29 th ) –Holiday Social

Just a few of our members…

FBO Strategic Plan

Advocacy, Education, Engagement and Partnership We have become the “go to” industry organization for companies seeking information and advice on the many current industry issues. We have developed strong partnerships with key organizations to build industry consensus and develop coordinated and well articulated industry policies. –Ontario Chamber of Commerce –Food & Consumer Products Council –Provision Coalition –Industry trade associations (DFO,WCO,OIMP,OFVPA) We have become the public voice for the industry on critical industry issues (e.g. CBC, BNN, local media and trade publications) We are actively engaged with producers to build collaborative action plans on many agri-food sector issues. (Vice Chair – President’s Council)

State of the Industry… Food and beverage processors are approaching the future with some anxiety but also cautious optimism. –Regulatory burden, innovation resources, skilled workers and outdated infrastructure all weigh on productivity. Several new pieces of legislation could have a significant negative impact on competitiveness. –ORPP –Carbon Taxation –Waste Diversion –Employment Standards –MPAC rule changes –Electricity Prices

But there is a bright side… Several recent economic changes have given the industry some cause for hope. –A weaker Canadian dollar will help exports. –Lower overall energy costs will improve the bottom line. –New trade agreements (should they be ratified) are seen as big opportunities for Ontario processors. –Ontario Government recognition of the importance of the food and beverage processing sector is both encouraging and important. Building “Public Trust” will be our industry’s next biggest challenge and opportunity.

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