Canadian Meat Council Strategies

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As the national association of federally inspected meat packers and processors, the Canadian Meat Council acts as a forum by which member company representatives may come together with like-minded firms to consolidate opinion on important issues and develop and communicate a single viewpoint to others such as producers, government(s), customers or the general public. The Canadian Meat Council has been doing just this, with success, since its founding in 1919.

A major industry today needs to be able to speak responsibly with a single voice. Governments prefer dealing with a single industry organization. Although it is sometimes difficult to reach industry consensus, the industry voice gains in strength and is respected when the majority of firms in the sector support the industry position.

Other groups in the economy - labour, primary producers, retailers, professional bodies, consumers - have developed effective bodies to speak on their behalf. In today's participatory democracy, particularly with the growth in the role of government, it is important for an industry to be heard when legislation or regulations are in the discussion stage.

This is a role filled by the Canadian Meat Council for the meat industry, the fourth largest manufacturing sector with annual sales in excess of $15 billion. This industry is heard and supported through the voice of the Canadian Meat Council.

Members participate at the national level through a number of Board-mandated Committees or sector groupings which include:

  Beef, Veal and Lamb
  Pork
  Foodservice
  Technical / Processed Meats / Environment
  Associate Members
  Annual Conference

The current regular membership includes forty-nine (49) firms operating ninety-seven (97) plants.