June 19, 2026: Food Processing Skills Canada (FPSC) welcomes the Government of Canada’s National Food Security Strategy and its commitment to strengthening Canada’s food system through investments in processing capacity, innovation, infrastructure, and domestic food production.
The announcement recognizes an important reality: Canada must increase its ability to grow, process, and distribute food at home if it is to strengthen food security, improve affordability, and build greater resilience in the face of global uncertainty.
FPSC is particularly encouraged by the Strategy’s focus on expanding domestic food processing capacity. Investments in food processing infrastructure, innovation, food hubs, and supply chain modernization will help Canada capture more value from what our farmers produce while creating jobs and economic opportunities in communities across the country.
As the largest manufacturing employer in Canada, the food and beverage manufacturing sector plays a critical role in transforming Canadian agricultural products into food that reaches consumers both at home and around the world. However, the success of these investments will depend not only on infrastructure and capital, but also on the people required to operate, maintain, and grow these facilities.
Canada’s food and beverage manufacturing sector already faces significant workforce challenges, and employers across the country continue to report difficulties recruiting and retaining workers in production, maintenance, quality assurance, food safety, supervision, logistics, and skilled trades positions. As new facilities are built and existing operations expand, the demand for workers will continue to increase.
A modern food security strategy must therefore include a workforce strategy.
FPSC believes workforce development should be recognized as a foundational component of the National Food Security Strategy. The organization stands ready to work with government, industry and community partners to ensure the labour force required to support these investments is available when and where it is needed.
Through its national workforce expertise, labour market intelligence, employer networks, and training programs, FPSC can help identify current and future labour shortages, map workforce needs to specific regions and communities, and develop targeted training solutions that connect Canadians to meaningful careers in food and beverage manufacturing.
This includes supporting underrepresented groups, newcomers, Indigenous communities, youth, career transition workers, and individuals seeking opportunities in rural and remote regions where many food processing facilities operate.
Canada’s investment in domestic food production and processing presents a significant opportunity for economic growth and food security. To fully realize that opportunity, workforce planning and workforce development must be integrated into implementation from the outset.
FPSC looks forward to working with the Government of Canada and industry partners to help ensure Canada has the skilled workforce necessary to support increased processing capacity, strengthen domestic food production, and build a resilient food system for future generations.