FBO through its membership and advocacy committee has identified a number of challenges for Investment attraction in Canada and is launching an initiative in support of strategic investment attraction.

We are excited to share details about a series of consultations we will hold in 2025, focusing on Productivity, Automation, and Investment Attraction within Ontario’s food and beverage sector. The first event will be held in Hamilton at Tim Horton’s Field, on January 28th from 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM.

These sessions will follow the format of our previous plastics consultation, bringing together processors, government representatives, equipment companies, sector service providers, and funders to collaboratively address the productivity challenges currently facing our industry.

Doug Alexander of The Belmont Food Group will be returning to facilitate these events. Doug has a remarkable ability to foster meaningful dialogue among participants and draw out key insights the government and industry need to hear. Doug is an FBO Board member and Co-Chair of the FBO Advocacy Committee.

This consultation will be a great opportunity to engage in critical discussions around productivity and help shape the future of the sector.

Initial Key topics will include:

• Reversing decline in productivity in Canada
• Declining business investment in Canada
• Discussing causes and solutions
• Increasing Automation investment and its impact
• Impact of the expected 25% US Tariffs
• Scale and Capacity through Export Opportunities
• Supporting a Strategic approach to investment attraction and where the government can impact it.

We are thrilled to have Ross Prusakowski, Deputy Chief Economist from EDC as one of our speakers. Ross’s presentation will focus on what we can expect from the new Trump administration.

If you’re interested in learning more or would like to participate, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Jason Crawford at jcrawford@foodandbeverageontario.ca.

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