What You’ll Learn:

• What is the DRMP and when and how organizations can access the DRMP
• Key principles, stages, and expected timelines
• How mediation and adjudication function within the process
• How the DRMP interacts with the Confidential Complaints Process and the Fruit & Vegetable DRC
• Where to find OGSCC resources and support

WEBINAR DETAILS:

• Date: February 26, 2026
• Time: 1 pm EST

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Developed collaboratively by representatives from across Canada’s grocery supply chain, the Code establishes clear principles and best practices designed to strengthen transparency, predictability, and fairness in commercial relationships. With full implementation, stakeholders across the sector have access to a framework that supports effective business practices and provides equitable mechanism for resolving specific commercial disputes.

All major national grocery retailers (Costco Wholesale Canada Ltd., Empire Company Limited, Loblaw Inc., Metro Inc., and Wal‑Mart Canada Corp) have formally registered with the OGSCC. They join more than 150 other retailers and suppliers as members of the OGSCC, helping ensure broad participation and meaningful impact across the industry.

“This level of participation is a significant advancement for the voluntary Code,” said Karen Proud, President and Adjudicator of the Office of the Grocery Sector Code of Conduct. “The commitment from Canada’s largest grocery retailers sends a powerful signal about the industry’s readiness to embrace fairness and collaboration.”

“We applaud the collective effort and leadership shown by the Office of the Grocery Sector Code of Conduct in advancing the Code toward full implementation in the new year,” said Honourable Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. “Collaboration across the retail sector is helping build a stronger, more accessible, and more resilient supply chain.” 

“Today marks an important milestone in the implementation of the Canadian Grocery Code, with the participation of all major retailers. Their involvement is essential to achieving our objectives: greater fairness, predictability, and transparency for companies that supply the retail food market, which will benefit consumers. I am proud that Quebec has ensured it will play a leading role in this project,” said Donald Martel, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

Support from Canada’s largest retailers is expected to encourage additional adoption from across the sector. With the Code now fully implemented and the DRMP in place, the OGSCC anticipates continued growth in participation as organizations work collectively to support a stronger and more competitive grocery supply chain.

This project is funded through the Regional Collaborative Partnerships Program under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, an agreement between federal, provincial and territorial governments.

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With all foundational components finalized, including the Dispute Resolution Management Process (DRMP), which will come into effect January 1, 2026, the OGSCC is now launching its formal recruitment campaign.

“Today marks an important step forward in advancing transparency, fairness, and predictability in commercial relationships across the grocery supply chain,” said Karen Proud, President & Adjudicator of the OGSCC. “With the governance framework in place, we are now focused on supporting broad participation from across the sector.”

Over 100 organizations joined during the transitional phase, playing a critical role in shaping the Office and informing the design of the Code. With formal recruitment now officially underway, the OGSCC encourages all eligible retailers and suppliers (including manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and primary producers) to join before the Code is fully implemented on January 1st, 2026.

“We applaud the collective work done on the industry-led grocery sector code of conduct to land this governance framework and the leadership shown by the Office of the Grocery Sector Code of Conduct.” said the Honourable Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. “By coming together to establish clear principles of fairness and transparency, the sector is building a stronger, accessible and more resilient supply chain.”

“This new Code of conduct is an important step toward strengthening trust and collaboration among all players in the supply chain, from farm to grocery store. I would like to thank my predecessor, André Lamontagne, who provided decisive leadership in developing the Code. I invite retailers and suppliers to sign on to it in large numbers. This is a step forward that benefits the entire industry, but above all our consumers,” said Donald Martel, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

We thank the Interim Board and the members of our industry working group for their dedication and hard work over the past six months, which was essential to finalizing this framework.

As implementation advances, the OGSCC looks forward to working with all members, new and existing, to support transparency, fairness, and trust across the grocery supply chain.

This project is funded through the Regional Collaboration Program under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, an agreement between federal, provincial and territorial governments.

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Since its establishment in March 2025, the Office has become fully operational and welcomed nearly 100 member companies from across the grocery supply chain. Ms. Proud highlighted the Office’s outreach efforts and reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, fairness, and continuous improvement.

The finalization of the Dispute Resolution Management Process (DRMP) remains the Office’s top priority ahead of the Code’s full implementation on January 1, 2026.

The post Karen Proud Appears Before House of Commons Standing Committee appeared first on Canada Grocery Code.

This industry-wide survey is designed to assess sector readiness, identify areas where additional support may be needed, and better understand industry priorities related to the Canada Grocery Code. Your input will help shape our strategic focus for 2026.

Your feedback offered will be confidential and results of the survey will only be provided to the OGSCC in aggregate.

The survey is now closed. Thank you to all who participated.

The post Take the 2025 Canada Grocery Code of Conduct Industry Survey appeared first on Canada Grocery Code.

Participants will gain practical insights into:

• How to report and raise issues related to the Code
• A primer on how to read the Code
• A live demonstration of the Member’s Portal
• An update on the Dispute Resolution Management Process

This session is ideal for anyone in the grocery supply chain looking to better understand how to engage with the Office and navigate the Code’s processes effectively.

WEBINAR DETAILS

• Date: October 9, 2025
• Time: 12-1 pm EST

The post OGSCC Lunch and Learn: Working with the Office & Navigating the Canada Grocery Code appeared first on Canada Grocery Code.

Both companies have been active participants in the collaborative development of the Code, alongside a broad cross-section of industry stakeholders, and wished to show their early support for the Code as the final governance documents are being completed.

Karen Proud, President and Adjudicator of the OGSCC formally introduced the new members, stating “We are delighted to welcome Lactalis Canada and Empire Company Limited as the inaugural registrants to the OGSCC. Their support reflects the continued commitment of major players across the grocery sector to a fair and transparent supply chain.”

The Grocery Code only applies to companies that are members of the OGSCC. While the five major grocers in Canada endorsed the principles of the Code in 2024, they must formally join for it to apply.

“We are pleased to see the first of the grocers, Empire Company Limited, register now and expect others to follow once the dispute resolution mechanism and other final governance documents are complete—if not earlier—and certainly before full implementation begins on January 1, 2026,” said Ms. Proud.

While formal recruitment efforts are expected to begin in Fall 2025, the OGSCC welcomes members to register now and is encouraged by the early engagement from across the sector.

For more information about the Canada Grocery Code and how to become a member, please visit https://canadacode.org/membership/

This project is funded through the Regional Collaborative Partnerships Program under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, an agreement between federal, provincial and territorial governments.

The post The Office of the Grocery Sector Code of Conduct Welcomes the Registration of the First Supplier and Retailer Members appeared first on Canada Grocery Code.

Michael Graydon, Chair of the Board, commented, “Karen’s exceptional ability to foster collaboration across diverse stakeholders makes her uniquely suited to lead the implementation of the Grocery Sector Code of Conduct. Her leadership will be critical to ensuring the Code delivers fairness, transparency, and accountability across Canada’s grocery supply chain.”

Diane J. Brisebois, Vice Chair of the Board, added, “Karen’s dedication to advocating for businesses of all sizes and her understanding of the grocery industry’s complexities will be instrumental in fostering trust and cooperation within the sector. We are confident in her ability to guide the Office with strategic foresight and exemplary leadership.”

As President and Adjudicator, Ms. Proud will oversee the implementation of the voluntary Grocery Sector Code of Conduct. Her responsibilities include fostering compliance, providing guidance on the Code’s interpretation, resolving disputes, monitoring practices, and reporting on progress annually. Through her role, she will promote collaborative and ethical business practices, ensuring the Code evolves alongside industry needs.

The Board extends its sincere gratitude to the Federal, Provincial, and Territorial Agriculture and Agri-Food Ministers, particularly Minister Lawrence A. MacAulay and Minister André Lamontagne, for their invaluable support throughout the code development process. Appreciation is also extended to the Industry Working Group, whose extensive efforts were instrumental in paving the way for broader industry support and improved cooperation across the grocery supply chain.

The Grocery Sector Code of Conduct represents a significant step forward in fostering predictability and fair dealing across the industry. The OGSCC is committed to having the Code fully operational by June 2025, strengthening Canada’s food and grocery systems for the benefit of all Canadians.

Ms. Proud expressed her enthusiasm for the role, stating, “I am honored to lead the Office of the Grocery Sector Code of Conduct. I look forward to working with stakeholders to build trust and strengthen the relationships that underpin Canada’s grocery supply chain.”

Ms. Proud previously served as President and CEO of Fertilizer Canada, where she led initiatives to support sustainable agricultural practices and strengthen relationships with industry and government partners. She also held executive roles at Food, Health & Consumer Products of Canada and the Retail Council of Canada, where she championed initiatives to support small and medium-sized businesses, enhance supply chain efficiency, and improve policy advocacy on behalf of the industry.

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