FHCP poll: Government should act to strengthen essential manufacturing and supply chains

MISSISSAUGA — As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, 82% of Canadians better understand how essential food, health, and consumer goods are made, and 93% want government to prioritize essential manufacturing, investment, and supply chains, according to new national polling conducted by Abacus Data on behalf of Food, Health & Consumer Products of Canada (FHCP).

The new poll shows that Canadians think the top three most effective actions government could take are: forcing large grocery stores to reduce fines and fees charged to farmers and manufacturers (47%), solving worker shortages (36%), and reducing red tape (35%).

Cost of living is a top election issue for most Canadians, and the poll details factors Canadians think most impact the price of food and other grocery items include increased transportation costs (69% think increased transportation costs impact prices some or a great deal), labour shortages (67%), the cost of COVID-19 protections in workplaces (64%), the cost of ingredients (64%), large grocery stores’ fines and fees imposed on suppliers and farmers (56%), and government red tape (51%).

FCHP CEO Michael Graydon commented:

“Canada’s high costs of doing business are bad for consumers, bad for our economy, and getting worse. With COVID-19 continuing to disrupt essential supply chains, Canadians clearly support prioritizing essential food, health, and consumer goods manufacturing, investment, and supply chains with effective government action like implementing a regulated, enforceable Grocery Supply Code of Conduct.”

The polling results reinforce FHCP member data showing that overall costs of production have increased an average of 15% compared to 2020, driven by increased costs associated with purchasing commodities/ingredients, transportation, labour, and fines/fees imposed by grocery retailers.