Canada’s new Office of the Grocery Sector Code of Conduct (OGSCC) has appointed Karen Proud as its first president and adjudicator.
Proud will assume her role on 17 March, with the grocery sector code of conduct expected to be operational by June.
The code aims to enhance transparency and fair competition across the supply chain and serve as a platform for dispute resolution.
Proud has “extensive leadership experience in the retail and manufacturing sectors”, the OGSCC said, adding that she also brings “deep expertise in regulatory compliance and stakeholder collaboration”.
Previously, Proud served as the president and CEO of Fertilizer Canada and has held senior positions at two other trade associations: Retail Council of Canada and Food, Health and Consumer Products of Canada.
In July, Canada’s federal government announced “all major retailers” had agreed to join the country’s upcoming grocery industry code of conduct.
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One major sticking point between the major retailers operating in Canada, including Walmart, Loblaw and Costco, and food suppliers has been fees that retailers have charged to keep suppliers’ products in stock and to promote them.
The code outlines conditions for fair and ethical dealing, commercial agreements and other topics such as the delisting process of a product.
It includes detailed rules about fees and the circumstances under which retailers can charge them.
Additionally, the code establishes a process for resolving disputes if parties cannot reach an agreement independently.
According to Michael Graydon, the OGSCC chair of the board and CEO of Food, Health and Consumer Products of Canada, Proud is “uniquely suited to lead the implementation” of the code.
“Her leadership will be critical to ensuring the code delivers fairness, transparency, and accountability across Canada’s grocery supply chain,” Graydon added.
In her role as president and adjudicator, Proud will be responsible for managing the implementation of the voluntary code of conduct for the grocery sector.
Her role involves “fostering compliance, providing guidance on the code’s interpretation, resolving disputes, monitoring practices, and reporting on progress annually.”
Proud will also advocate for “collaborative and ethical business practices” while ensuring the code adapts to the evolving needs of the industry.
She said: “I look forward to working with stakeholders to build trust and strengthen the relationships that underpin Canada’s grocery supply chain.”
