Canada’s grocery code of conduct board has appointed Karen Proud as an adjudicator to oversee its implementation. Proud, the former president and CEO of Fertilizer Canada, will officially begin her role on March 17, with the code expected to be operational by June. The code aims to promote fair dealings between grocers and their suppliers, including penalties and fees. The federal agriculture minister believes the code will bring more transparency, fairness, and predictability to the food industry.
Work on the code began over four years ago, and by July 2024, all major grocers had confirmed their acceptance of the voluntary code. However, pressure from some grocers has been present, and the federal government warned it could make the code mandatory if not all major players agreed. Michael Graydon, CEO of the Food, Health & Consumer Products of Canada association and chairman of the interim board overseeing the code, has long advocated for a voluntary code.
Proud’s role will involve overseeing the implementation of the code, fostering compliance, providing guidance on interpretation, resolving disputes, monitoring industry practices, and reporting on the code’s progress. She will also promote collaborative and ethical business practices and ensure the code evolves alongside industry needs.
Proud will educate industry players on how the code works and review the code to see if it needs to be changed in the future. Her background in both the manufacturing and retail parts of the food industry and with the government makes her uniquely qualified for the adjudicator role.
The grocery sector has faced pressure from shoppers and politicians amid food inflation, with grocery executives pushing back at claims they are responsible for higher prices. The code is not intended to address retail food prices.
Source: CTV News
