Advocacy
The Fees in Respect of Drugs and Medical Devices Order came into force on April 1, 2020. At that time, Health Canada made a commitment to engage annually with stakeholders of the drugs and medical devices sector to discuss key elements of cost recovery including performance, costs and program efficiencies.
We have now held four annual engagement sessions and would like to invite you to our fifth one, which will be held virtually on December 5th, 2025, 1:00 – 5:00pm EST. If you would like to participate, please register for the session by November 28th by clicking the registration link Webinar Registration – Zoom and a formal invitation will be sent to you. Bilingual meeting materials will be distributed to all registrants a week before of the session.
We would also like to inform you that Health Canada will table the 2024-2025 Report on Fees in Parliament in early November 2025. Once tabled, the report will be available to view and download at the following link. Reports and Publications – About Health Canada – Canada.ca. We will discuss the content of this report during our December 5th event.
If you have any questions on registration, please contact the Cost Recovery Office at cro-brc@hc-sc.gc.ca.
If you no longer wish to receive notifications of consultations on this topic, you can do so by logging in to your CSIMS account and revising your “Areas of Interest”.
Issues logging in to your account? Please email: CSIMS-External@hc-sc.gc.ca.
We thank you for your continued commitment. Your participation in this session is highly valued and greatly appreciated.
Federal
Important Message
The Environmental Damages Fund (EDF) has opened a Call for Applications (CFA).
The deadline for submitting a project under the Fall 2025 CFA is 15:00 Eastern Time (ET), on December 18, 2025. Visit the EDF website for detailed information on eligibility, Fund Use Requirements, and how to apply for funding.
Available funding for an EDF CFA varies according to the number and size of court awards and voluntary contributions directed to the EDF. For this CFA, funding is available to support projects that can take place anywhere in Canada (one fund), as well as projects taking place specifically in Northwest Territories, British Columbia, and Quebec.
Log into the online application platform Grants & Contributions Enterprise Management System (GCEMS) to apply and access the EDF Applicant Guide.
We will be hosting virtual general information sessions on the EDF and the CFA.
English sessions will be held on Thursday November 6 from 14:30 to15:30 ET and Thursday November 13 from 13:00 to 14:00 ET.
French sessions will be held on Thursday November 6 from 13:00 to 14:00 ET and Thursday November 13 from 15:00 to 16:00 ET. The sessions will not be recorded, but we will share the presentation after the event if you are unable to attend. If you are interested in attending, you can register for a session in the language of your choice.
English:
November 6, 2025, 14:30-15:30 ET
November 13, 2025, 13:00-14:00 ET
French:
November 6, 2025, 13:00-14:00 ET
November 13, 2025, 15:00-16:00 ET
Inquiries related to this CFA may be forwarded to an EDF office in your region at:
East and Central Region
New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island and Quebec
E-mail: fde.est.centre-edf.east.central@ec.gc.ca
Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Yukon
E-mail: fdeouestnord-edfwestnorth@ec.gc.ca
We look forward to reading your application!
Ferrero starts producing Ferrero Rocher chocolate squares in Canada – Food In CanadaFood In Canada
Ferrero Canada has officially launched its new Ferrero Rocher chocolate squares production line at the Brantford, Ont., manufacturing facility, marking the first-ever production of this product.
This milestone is part of Ferrero’s landmark $445 million investment in Canadian operations.
Nortera acquires Green Giant and Le Sieur brands – Food In CanadaFood In Canada
Nortera buys the Green Giant and Le Sieur brands in Canada from U.S.-based B&G Foods.
Nortera has been the exclusive producer of Green Giant and Le Sieur in Canada for 30 years.
The Green Giant brand includes a range of frozen and shelf stable vegetable products. They join Nortera’s existing portfolio of brands that include Arctic Gardens and Del Monte.
Under the Canadian Fighting Against Forced Labour and Child Labour in Supply Chains Act (the “Act”), certain businesses and government bodies are obligated to report their efforts to prevent and mitigate the risk of the use of forced labour or child labour in their supply chains.[1] The Act seeks to combat these practices by requiring certain organizations to disclose in an annual report, their policies, due diligence processes, and actions taken to identify and address forced labour and child labour risks in their operations and supply chains. For Canadian reporting entities, the next reporting deadline is May 31, 2026.
PMRA Recent postings of consultations and decisions
The Health Canada Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) is responsible for pesticide regulation in Canada. The public registry is where you can learn more about all pest control products registered for use in Canada.
- Tea Tree Oil, Timorex Gold (RD2025-09) Decision Posted: October 31, 2025
- Metamitron, Brevis 150 SC, and Brevis 15 SG (RD2025-08) Decision Posted: October 31, 2025
- Iodosulfuron-methyl-sodium (PRVD2025-10) Open consultation Posted: October 30, 2025
- Rectified clove leaf oil and DECCO 070 EC (PRD2025-13) Open consultation Posted: October 28, 2025
Provincial
Meat and Poultry Ontario crowns Ontario’s Finest Butcher – Food In CanadaFood In Canada
At its bi-annual Meating Place conference, held earlier this month at the Blue Mountain Conference Centre in Ontario, Meat and Poultry Ontario (MPO) conducted the finals of Ontario’s Finest Butcher contest. Dylan Miedema of Townsend Butchers was crowned Ontario’s Finest Butcher for 2025.
Fund supports next generation of B.C. farmers – Canada.ca
Farmers beginning operations in British Columbia are getting help to plan and grow their agricultural businesses so they can succeed and offer B.C. families fresh and local food.
The New Entrant Farm Business Accelerator Program will be opening for eligible farmers to apply to develop or update a farm business plan and prepare a growth strategy for their farm operations.
Eligible farmers will also be able to apply for funding to implement their growth strategy, including support for on-farm infrastructure and other investments, in spring 2026.
The Ontario government is planning to target driving license fraud by tightening eligibility requirements.
Bill 60 introduced in Queen’s Park on Oct. 23 is proposing changes that verify residency and work eligibility in Canada for commercial driver’s license applicants. It also seeks to add a mandatory minimum waiting period between obtaining a Class G and Class A driver’s license.
50 years of growing Alberta’s Ag talent | alberta.ca
For 50 years, the Green Certificate Program has helped thousands of students gain hands-on skills and launch successful careers in agriculture.
Workers with a serious illness or injury will have improved job protection under a proposed amendment to the Employment Standards Act.
Following the changes, working people will be able to take as many as 27 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave within a 12-month period to undergo medical treatment and recovery.
Energy strategy for PEI sets course for next 10 years | Government of Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island’s new energy strategy calls for strengthened consumer protections and upgrades to infrastructure, while highlighting energy equity and affordability.
The PEI Energy Strategy outlines high-level priorities to achieve the Government of Prince Edward Island’s long-term vision for the energy system through to 2035.
USA
EPA’s Staff Focused on Existing, New Chemicals Despite Shutdown
EPA staff are continuing to work on new and existing chemicals despite the government shutdown, a top agency official said Wednesday.
Lynn Ann Dekleva, deputy assistant administrator for chemical safety and pollution prevention, said she doesn’t know how long the Environmental Protection Agency can keep staff working.
UPDATE -Through product testing by state programs and confirmed by the FDA, the FDA has determined that the ground cinnamon products listed in the table below contain elevated levels of lead and that exposure to these products may be unsafe. The FDA is advising consumers to throw away and not to buy these ground cinnamon products.
USDA Announces Plan to Strengthen U.S. Beef Industry – Quality Assurance & Food Safety
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a plan to fortify the American beef industry Oct. 22.
USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) reports that after a summer pause, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza has returned in significant numbers.
Since Sept. 1, another 3.88 million birds have been lost either to the virus or by culling to prevent its spread. The most recent outbreaks affected 66 flocks, including 31 commercial and 35 backyard flocks.
International
Functional food claims: Regulation
What do companies need to do to ensure their claims are compliant in the EU?
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have signed an updated Memorandum of Cooperation, strengthening the agencies’ commitment to advancing sustainability, innovation and safety in the aviation and chemical sectors.
The aim is to ensure the protection of human health and the environment, while fostering a competitive and resilient European industry.
Nestlé, Mars, Unilever, Ferrero & Kraft Heinz: The big CPG shake-up continues
From Nestlé’s mass layoffs to Kraft Heinz mega demerger, global CPGs are making bold moves to survive shifting consumer demands and financial pressure
Cargill expanding regenerative ag investments | Food Business News
Cargill is supporting regenerative agriculture practices in 16 countries through a range of programs and partnerships, according to the company’s latest annual report.
One such partnership involves Cargill and Mars, Inc. helping farmers in Poland receive payments for carbon sequestered after adopting regenerative practices with the goal of improving soil health on more than 4,500 hectares through 2026.
Safety Share
Lead and cadmium in children’s jewellery – Canada.ca
Think twice when you’re shopping for jewellery for your kids.
Did you know that some children’s jewellery has been recalled by Health Canada for high levels of lead?
Swallowing these items can cause serious health concerns. Remind children not to suck or chew on jewellery, which can also lead to choking hazards.
This Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, ensure your child’s jewellery is lead and cadmium-free.
Learn more about Lead and cadmium in children’s jewellery
WHMIS doesn’t have to be scary. Get your workers trained before working with hazardous products.
This one-hour online course helps workers develop their understanding of WHMIS so they can protect themselves and their coworkers from hazardous products. – $19.95 Course
Events
Day 1: Tue, Nov 18th 10:45 a.m. – 4 p.m. ET
Day 2: Wed, Nov. 19th 10- 11:30 a.m. ET and 2-3:30 p.m. ET
Day 3: Thu, Nov. 20th 10- 11:30 a.m. ET and 2-3:30 p.m. ET
The FDA will host, in collaboration with various stakeholders, including industry, consumer groups, healthcare professionals, individual firms, retailers, and academic researchers, a virtual public meeting followed by virtual listening sessions to help inform the FDA’s next steps, prioritize potential options, and advance our food allergen threshold approaches to benefit public health.
The FDA will review input received at the public meeting, in listening sessions, and in response to a Regulations.gov docket to determine next steps.
Clues for Containment: Proactive Rodent Control Strategies Registration November 4, 2025, 2pm EST
Join Orkin Entomologist Frank Meek for a free, educational webinar and live Q&A, where you will learn how to spot the common signs of rodent activity, understand the risks they pose, and implement proactive strategies to help keep them out of your facility.
Save the date: PFAS Roundtable
The PFAS Roundtable will take place on December 2, 2025, as a virtual half-day workshop.
- Session 1: Updates for all stakeholders on recent work related to PFAS.
- Session 2: A focused discussion with selected stakeholders on Phase 1 proposed risk management to address PFAS in firefighting foams that are not currently regulated.
We look forward to your participation. Please hold the date – full details and registration information will follow at a later date through the Risk management of the class of PFAS subscription service:
https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/management-toxic-substances/subscribe-risk-management-class-pfas.html
CARM webinars
Did you know? Air, Rail and Highway Carrier and Freight Forwarder Enrollment in CARM
A short-form webinar that provides an overview of the enrollment process in the CARM Client Portal for air, rail and highway mode carriers and freight forwarders. This session will explain how to apply for the carrier code by resident and non-resident carriers, how to post financial security as a carrier or a freight forwarder, as well as the process for account maintenance.
| Webinar sessions | |||||
| Language | Date | Time | Registration | ||
| English | Tuesday, October 21, 2025 | 1 pm to 2 pm ET | Register | ||
| French | Tuesday, November 4, 2025 | 11 am to 12 pm ET | Register | ||
Did you know? Registering on the CARM Client Portal
A podcast-style webinar that explains the process for setting up individual and business accounts in the CARM Client Portal, along with valuable trouble shooting tips. This sessions is for those experiencing difficulty onboarding to the CARM portal.
| Webinar sessions | ||||
| Language | Date | Time | Registration | |
| English | Wednesday, November 12, 2025 | 1 pm to 1:45 pm ET | Register | |
| English | Wednesday, November 26, 2025 | 1 pm to 1:45 pm ET | Register | |
| English | Wednesday, December 10, 2025 | 1 pm to 1:45 pm ET | Register | |
| English | Wednesday, December 17, 2025 | 1 pm to 1:45 pm ET | Register | |
| French | Wednesday, November 18, 2025 | 11 am to 11:45 am ET | Register | |
| French | Wednesday, December 3, 2025 | 1 pm to 1:45 pm ET | Register | |
Did you know? Release Prior to Payment (RPP) Program
A short-form webinar that provides an overview of delegation of authority in the CARM Client Portal and the Release Prior to Payment (RPP) Program. This session will explain how to delegate authority to employees and third-party service providers, as well as financial security requirements and how to enroll in RPP.
| Webinar sessions | |||||
| Language | Date | Time | Registration | ||
| English | Thursday, November 13, 2025 | 1 pm to 1:45 pm ET | Register | ||
| English | Thursday, November 27, 2025 | 1 pm to 1:45 pm ET | Register | ||
| English | Thursday, December 11, 2025 | 1 pm to 1:45 pm ET | Register | ||
| English | Thursday, December 18, 2025 | 1 pm to 1:45 pm ET | Register | ||
| French | Thursday, November 20, 2025 | 11 am to 11:45 am ET | Register | ||
| French | Thursday, December 4, 2025 | 1 pm to 1:45 pm ET | Register | ||
Indoor AgTech 2025 November 12 | December 3
The Indoor AgTech Broadcast Series is approaching, and you don’t want to miss it!
Across two 90-minute broadcasts, CEA experts will share their perspectives on strategies for sustainable growth, covering topics such as investment risks, scaling challenges, strategic partnerships, government policies, and paths to profitability.
In addition to high-level keynotes and partner presentations, the series will feature interactive panel discussions. As an attendee, you have the opportunity to pose questions to our expert guests at the moment of registration.
Make sure to secure your spot!
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