With the resumption of Parliament, the Canadian Meat Council led the cheer for government’s focus on economic performance

Representing Canada’s red meat processing sector—an industry that contributed over $9.4 billion in exports and supported almost 200,000 jobs in 2024—CMC urged the federal government to act quickly to unlock growth, create jobs, and strengthen food security.

“Canada’s red meat sector is uniquely positioned to help the government achieve its economic and trade objectives,” said Chris White, President and CEO, CMC, Canada Pork. “With targeted support on labour, trade, and regulatory modernization, we can contribute to GDP growth, export performance, and rural economic development.”

 “CMC is aligned with the government’s vision for a faster, more resilient, and export-driven economy”

With over half of the meat industry products destined for export, restoring full access to China for beef and pork remains most urgent for CMC. Subsequently, the Canadian red meat industry is launching the Canadian Meat Advocacy Office (CMAO) based in Beijing, China, and is fully funded by industry exporters. The CMAO signals a readiness to grow and strengthen Canada’s competitiveness in the Chinese market. CMC also called for swift resolution of issues with the U.S. and EU, and expanded access to Southeast Asia and Latin America.

• Labour & Immigration Reform: Labour shortages are limiting growth across the industry’s entire supply chain. We urge the creation of a Federal Food Security Immigration Stream, and a more responsive Temporary Foreign Worker Program tailored to the year-round needs of rural agri-food operations.

• Regulatory Efficiency: Align feed ban rules with the U.S., streamline CFIA inspection practices, and adopt digital tools such as AI inspections and e-certification to improve efficiency and boost exports.
• Supply Chain Stability: To protect trade and food security, we need a policy framework that ensures uninterrupted food supply during labour disruptions, while respecting workers’ rights.
• Animal Health Preparedness: We call for faster deployment of support for Foot and Mouth Disease and African Swine Fever, along with stronger investments in biosecurity and rapid disease detection at borders.

“CMC is aligned with the government’s vision for a faster, more resilient, and export-driven economy,”said Chris White. “Our sector is not only ready to contribute, but is actively driving innovation, investment, and job creation across the country. We recognize the urgency of the moment and the opportunity it presents, and we look forward to working in close partnership with policymakers to deliver meaningful, measurable outcomes for businesses, communities, and the broader economy.”