Steven West
Director, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)·2 communications in the past year
Lobbied by
Canadian Mushroom Growers Association
3-Seeking funding for proposed training and farm innovations for workers and farm employers. -Proposed Agriculture and Agri-Food Workforce Action Plan and Workforce Program, to increase the labour supply and to increase training for the agriculture sector workers and employers. -Address agriculture labour issues and shortages with government officials by seeking support for the implementation of Agri-Food Immigration Pilot that will allow immigration access for farm and food workers, also create new incentives to encourage refugees and new immigrants to work on farms and to also address the Temporary Foreign Worker Program application process issues with administrative efficiencies.
Crystal Clear Connections
National Cattle Feeders'Association
2Regulatory and program efficiencies in the approval of new products for use in the production of food (i.e. pesticides, vet drugs, feed additives). Investment in national supply chain corridors for the movement of agriculture products including reliable port and rail service. Investment in roads and bridges necessary to move agriculture products from the farm gate to the national corridors. Temporary Foreign Workers Program - National Occupation Codes for herd persons, development of new agriculture and fisheries labour program, housing requirements for TFW. Advocating for the alignment of Canadian regulations with the US for specified risk materials for cattle processing Antimicrobial use and resistance - classification of growth promotants Regulatory Cooperation Council Agenda - alignment of Canada/ US regulations for livestock transport, product approval and border livestock inspection requirement Trade policy and regulations as it relates to import and export of cattle to the United States and increased market access to global markets for Canadian beef products. Traceability systems and regulations Canadian Agriculture Policy - business risk management programming, environmental programming, Canada Food Policy Advocating government to appropriately prepare for animal disease outbreaks including Foot and Mouth Disease. Climate policy as it relates to emissions from producing cattle/beef.
Regulatory and program efficiencies in the approval of new products for use in the production of food (i.e. pesticides, vet drugs, feed additives). Investment in national supply chain corridors for movement of agriculture products including reliable port and rail service. Investment in road and bridges necessary to move agriculture products from the farm to the national corridors. Advocating for the alignment of Canada regulations with the US for specified risk materials for cattle processing Temporary Foreign Workers Program - National Occupation Codes for herds person. Development of new agriculture and fisheries labour program. Housing requirements for TFW. Regulatory Cooperation Council Agenda - alignment with US regulations for livestock transport, product approval and border livestock inspection requirements Anti-microbial use and resistance - classification of growth promotants Advocating government for appropriate preparedness for animal disease outbreaks including Food and Mouth Disease. Traceability Systems and regulations Trade policy and regulations as it relates to import and export of cattle to the United States and increased market access to global markets for for Canadian beef products Climate Change policy as it relates to emissions from production of cattle/beef. Canadian Agriculture Policy - business risk management programming, environmental programming, Canada Food Policy
United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW Canada)
2With respect to the energy sector, a just-transition program that includes all workers affected by changes including training and upskilling workers into new jobs. With respect to making housing costs more affordable, rent support and national rent control standards. Universal Childcare with respect to the creation of a publicly funded and publicly administered National Childcare program. Trans-Pacific Partnership, with respect to impact studies and consultations. Temporary Foreign Worker Program - requesting a more robust immigration program and greater access to permanent residency for workers, particularly where there is a genuine labour market shortage; ensuring that Canadians and permanent residents are more efficiently engaged in the labour market to substantially decrease unemployment in Canada National Food Policy with respect to the establishment of a national food policy council inclusive of tripartite involvement and representation. Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls with respect to implementing the calls to justice recommended by the final report of the National Inquiry of the MMIWG. Indigenous Rights with respect to appropriate funding and resources to support the development of necessary publicly delivered water infrastructure to indigenous communities across Canada. Formerly known as M 444: A motion to establish a coordinated National Action Plan to Address Violence Against Women with respect to prevention measures, Service, legal and social policy responses. Federal Pay Equity Act, with respect to implementing the recommendations of the 2004 Pay Equity task force and to begin closing the Gender Wage Gap. Equity for First Nations Children in Canada with respect to the adoption of the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society's Spirit Bear plan. Employment Labour Shortage in First Nations Communities with respect to education to employment barriers on and off reserve. Employment Insurance with respect to lowering the accumulated hours needed to access E.I. sick benefits to 360 hours of work in the 52 week period. Extending E.I. sickness benefits from 15 to 50 weeks and eliminating the 1 week waiting period to access benefits. Digital platform work with respect to app-based workers Rights, Benefits, Earning standards and Occupational Health and Safety protections. Canadian, US and Mexico Free Trade Agreement (CUSMA) with respect to protection of Canadian Supply Management and strengthening the Labour Chapter. Automation with respect to the creation of an advisory council and study.
Canada Bread Company
1Ongoing regulatory issues related to our production and packaging of our baked goods, specifically in relation to the recyclability of plastic packaging used. Providing information regarding modernization of Canada Bread Company, Ltd. compliance program, consistent with Competition Act and related provisions. Gather information regarding regenerative agriculture strategy, productivity and subsidy/investment programs available for the agri-food sector.
Canadian Produce Marketing Association
1Sustainability - Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), In relation to sustainable packaging policies and their impact on the fresh produce supply chain Sustainable Agriculture Strategy - Policies to support the adoption of more environmentally sustainable practices across the fresh produce supply chain National School Food Program - Improve and increase access to the nutritious food all students need and supporting food insecure households National Food Security Strategy– in respect of strengthening the systems that support the safe, timely movement and distribution of fresh fruit and vegetable products across Canadas borders and domestic supply chains. Federal Budget 2025 - specifically related to measures of relevance and impact to the fresh produce supply chain. Red Tape Review - Federal department efforts under Treasury Board's Red Tape Review initiative. Grocery Sector Code of Conduct - including the development and implementation of the voluntary code to support fair business practices in the fresh produce sector. International trade, including opportunities for export and import market diversification in the fresh produce sector. Measures to facilitate internal trade in Canada, including through Bill C-5, the One Canadian Economy Act. Canada-U.S. trade and Canada's response to U.S. trade action against Canada, including tariffs. Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement Safe Foods for Canadians Regulations - Labelling. In relation to addressing industry challenges in the application of labelling requirements. Supply Chains Act - in relation to providing necessary supports to industry to effectively address and eradicate forced labour. Safe Food for Canadians Act and Regulations - Destination Inspection Service - In relation to ensuring consistent and efficient CFIA service model for delivery of enhanced destination inspection for produce. Safe Food for Canadians Act and Regulations - Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Grades. In respect of the maintenance and modification of Canadian grade standards. Safe Food for Canadians Act and Regulations - Organic. In respect to the Canadian Organic Regime and the Canadian Organic Standards. Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program - In relation to enabling a sufficient workforce to support domestic fruit and vegetable production. Temporary Foreign Worker Program - In relation to enabling a sufficient workforce to support domestic fruit and vegetable production. Safe Food for Canadians Act and Regulations - In respect to supporting the development and implementation of a safe food supply chain while ensuring efficient and consistent licensing and inspection requirements and streamlined regulations for industry. Safe Food for Canadians Act. In respect of managing risk to food safety and supporting a safe food system for Canada. Ports Modernization Review - In respect to ensuring that ports are well positioned to facilitate the free flow of goods and enabling uninterrupted trade. Plant Protection Act & Regulations. In respect to consistent delivery by CFIA of plant health regulations. Pest Control Products Act - Pesticide Residue Tolerances - In respect of international harmonization of maximum and default residue limits (mrls). National Supply Chain Strategy - in respect of supporting the smooth movement of fresh fruit and vegetable products across the Canadian border and throughout the country. Health Canada Food & Nutrition - A cooperative approach between government and industry / NGOs to support increased health of Canadians via focus on childhood obesity, establishment of nutrient database, harmonization between Canada and US of health claims, health & nutrition labelling, and consumer food safety education. Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act and accompanying regulations - In respect to rebates for the greenhouse industry, expanding the definition of farming and ensuring consistency, and in providing an exemption in the Act and/or regulations for diesel and propane as well as heating and
Canadian Trucking Alliance
1Elimination of organized crimes influence on trucking industry. Support and advocate for law enforcement efforts to combat organized crime and the influence of transnational criminal organizations (TCO) on the trucking industry. Crime prevention as it pertains to the trucking industry. Ensure a focus remains on eliminating the influence of Transnational Criminal Organizations from trucking. Maintenance and support for national tables and mechanisms that address inter-provincial trucking issues. That support and promotion for the Council of Ministers and Deputy Ministers Responsible for Transportation and Highway Safety and associated committees, the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators, the Task Force on Vehicle Weights and Dimensions and the Transportation Association of Canada continue. It is critical industry and government have established forums to discuss, develop and coordinate on issues of importance the trucking industry. Funding for Federal, Territorial and Provincial Relations to support oversight of trucking industry and support for infrastructure priorities. National Highway System. Support for improvements, upgrades and capital expenditures on the national highways system to support inter-provincial truck transportation. Commercial Vehicle Enforcement – that joint commitments amongst federal government, proveniences and territories to address commercial vehicle safety remain in place and are properly supported and co-ordinated and that information sharing amongst jurisdictions Prevention of fraudulent activities as it relates to commercial trucking. Ensure financial crimes and fraud being committed as a result of labour mis-classification and forced labour are eliminate from the trucking industry. Prevention of Human Trafficking and Forced Labour – ensure forced labour is eliminated from the trucking industry, support all law enforcement programs dedicated to this file and hold non-compliant operations accountable. Regulatory Harmonization – ensure that regulatory harmonization and alignment are the focal points for governments with respect to trucking. That jurisdictions commit to implementing changes in a timely manner and that when necessary that the federal government support jurisdictions in implementing the changes. That mutual recognition is not a suitable mechanism for reducing inter-provincial trade barriers in trucking. Transportation and Supply Chain Security and Integrity. Ensure a focus remains on eliminating the influence of Transnational Criminal Organizations from trucking, establish known employer programs in trucking as well as an expansion of trusted trader networks. Commercial Vehicle Enforcement – ensuring all lawful authorities are engaged in activities with respect to commercial vehicle enforcement to detect and deter criminal activity and hold non-compliant operations accountable. Data Collection, Research and Development – as required provide information and insight to officials to ensure accurate and realistic information on the industry trends, and metrics. Commercial Driver Medical Standards – that standards are consistent between provincial and territorial jurisdictions and that to the extent possible they are aligned with those required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Vehicle Weights and Dimensions – ensure existing mechanisms in place for discussions, collaborations, progression, standards maintenance and development on vehicle weights and dimensions policy remain in place. National Safety Code Standards – that proper attention and maintenance is given to national safety code standards and that jurisdictions are adhering to and implementing the standards consistently. Commercial Vehicle Enforcement – ensure Transport Canada, the provinces and territories maintain adequate oversight of the trucking industry and that Transport Canada remain engaged in supporting commercial vehicle oversight across all jurisdictions. Transportation of Dangerous
Progressive Contractors Association of Canada
1Fair and open tendering, with respect to government infrastructure spending. Policies and programs, including the Temporary Foreign Worker program, as they relate to the acute shortage of workers in construction and infrastructure.