Federal Provincial Secretariat

Federal Provincial Market Development Council (FPMDC)

Role and Mandate

Vision

A thriving internationally recognized consumer and buyer oriented Canadian agriculture and food industry.

Mission

Council will provide direction and facilitate cooperation toward the further growth and development of Canada's agriculture and food trade.

Role of Council

• Enhance the development of Canada's international agriculture and food trade development strategy;
• Guide federal and provincial agencies on issues related to the gathering, analysis and dissemination of market information;
• Provide input and advise federal and provincial agencies in the development and delivery of complementary initiatives to improve export readiness, capabilities and success of Canadian agriculture and agri-food exporters;
• Work with industry and government agencies to facilitate coordinated and effective government market development program design/delivery; and
• Serve as a forum for the exchange of market development information among members.

Activities

Council may undertake initiatives/activities related to the above mission and role. These initiatives may be generated by Council or at the request of the appropriate authorities.

Membership

Each provincial government and the federal government, through the appropriate authority(ies) responsible for agriculture and agri-food market development issues may appoint one member to Council. With the approval of Council, additional representation or observers from any jurisdiction may be accepted. Alternates or observers can be permitted at any time at the request of a member. Members may be accompanied at meetings by additional staff to address particular issues.

Sub-Committees/Working Groups

Council may appoint sub-committees or working groups to deal with specific issues identified by Council on an ‘as-needed' basis.

Chair/Vice-Chair

Council is led by a Chair, elected from amongst the provincial members on a two-year rotational basis. The federal Council member from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is appointed by Council to serve as Vice-Chair. Each Council member may nominate and vote for candidates for the Chair. Members' individual nominations are consolidated and distributed by the Executive Secretary of the Federal Provincial Secretariat to all members. Candidates may then decide whether or not they wish their name to stand. A vote is taken at the outset of the last Council meeting preceding the end of each Chair's term.

Reporting

Council reports to Federal and Provincial Ministers of Agriculture on its activities and plans on annual basis. Council workplans and workplan initiatives also are monitored and regularly reviewed by the federal and provincial governments through the Federal Provincial Territorial Policy Assistant Deputy Ministers' Committee.

Funding

Each jurisdiction will provide the resources required to ensure the full participation of their Council representative(s). Where necessary, Council workplan initiatives will be funded on a cost-shared basis by members, the calculation of which is determined and approved on a consensual basis by members.

Meetings

Council will meet at least twice each year and meeting locations will vary throughout Canada and be determined by Council members. As necessary, Council will use all available technology (i.e. teleconferencing) to convene and advance its work between meetings.

Agenda Items

Issues to be addressed by Council may be raised by any Council member or may be referred to Council from other committees or policy-making bodies.

Decisions

Council will always seek to operate on a consensus basis. Those members not present for key discussions will be consulted prior to the communication of any Council decision, agreement, recommendation or resolution.

Support

Council will be supported by the Federal Provincial Secretariat which is provided and jointly funded by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and all member jurisdictions. The role of the Secretariat is to:

• work with the Chair and Vice-Chair to draft Council agendas;
• distribute the agenda and all supporting documentation;
• make all necessary meeting arrangements;
• take and distribute notes on all meetings and teleconferences;
• distribute and follow-up on action items;
• maintain files, membership and contact lists;
• ensure that all correspondence, communications, etc are distributed in both official languages; and
• provide other services as required to ensure the effective and efficient operation of Council.

Please contact the FP Secretariat for copies of reports and agendas.

George Borovilos
Chair, FPMDC
Director, Business Development Branch
Economic Development Division
Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs
1 Stone Road West, 5th Floor
Guelph, Ontario N1G 4Y2
Tel: (519) 826-4452
Fax: (519) 826-4333
Email: george.borovilos@ontario.ca

Paul Murphy
Vice Chair, FPMDC
A/Director General, International Markets Bureau
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Floor 4, Room 243
1341 Baseline Road, Tower 5
Ottawa ON K1A 0C5
Tel: (613) 773-1517     
Fax: (613) 773-1550
Email: paul.murphy@agr.gc.ca

Traudy Tremblay
Executive Secretary
Federal-Provincial Secretariat
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
1341 Baseline Road, Tower 5
Floor 3, Room 342
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0C5
Tel: 613-773-1606
Fax: 613-773-1616
Email: traudy.tremblay@agr.gc.ca