The non-alcoholic beverage sector is a major economic driver, contributing over $5.37 billion in GDP and directing over $977.3 million in federal tax revenue. In fact, according to the Conference Board of Canada, between 2017 and 2021, the overall investment in the non-alcoholic beverage sector amounted to more than $500 million.
The beverage sector is also an engine of job creation across Canada. The sector’s economic activities generated $3.4 billion in labour income and supported 55,868 full-time-equivalent (FTE) jobs across Canada in 2019. More than 90 percent of those jobs were concentrated in Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, and Alberta, with 46 percent in Ontario alone.2 The sector supported employment across various industries, including manufacturing, finance, transportation and warehousing.
The CBA was proud to provide a written submission for the Pre-Budget Consultations in advance of the upcoming federal budget.
Our recommendations include:
Recommendation 1: Take a responsible approach to labelling changes that:
a) Ensures all labelling transitions that are currently underway reach compliance deadline before introducing additional labelling changes.
b) Provides a 60-month transition period for any new labelling changes.
Recommendation 2: Work with the provinces and territories to establish harmonized, outcomes-based extended producer responsibility for beverage container recycling across Canada.