About the CFIA > Reporting to Parliament > Annual Report > Annual Report 2002 - 2003  

1.0 MESSAGES

December 5, 2003

The Honourable Lyle Vanclief, PC , MP
Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
Room 207, Confederation Building
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6

Dear Minister Vanclief:

In accordance with requirements in Section 23 of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Act, I am pleased to present to you, and to Parliament, the CFIA's 2002-03 Annual Report.

The report describes the activities of CFIA personnel and the results they achieved in working to protect Canada's food supply and the plants and animals upon which safe and high-quality food depends. Performance information is organized along the Agency's business lines and is presented in the context of our performance management framework. The report also includes the March 31, 2003 audited financial statements and the Auditor General's assessment of the Agency's performance information.

Sincerely,

Richard B. Fadden

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

I am pleased to present the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's (CFIA) sixth annual report, covering the period from April 1, 2002, to March 31, 2003. During the past year, the CFIA has successfully dealt with an increasing demand for its services and a number of significant challenges, while fulfilling its mandate to safeguard Canada's food supply and the plants and animals on which safe and high-quality food depends.

Food safety continues to be our top priority. Last year saw the recall of a variety of products from store shelves, protecting consumers from potential health hazards. The Agency also sought to prevent foodborne illness with our Food Recall/Allergy Alert Outreach program designed to teach food safety principles to children. Through the On-Farm Food Safety Recognition Program, the Agency worked with government and industry partners to strengthen the food safety system along the entire food continuum.

This past year was also a busy one in the area of animal health, with continuing efforts to control and isolate significant animal diseases such as bovine tuberculosis and chronic wasting disease in deer. Although it occurred after the 2002-03 fiscal year, it would be difficult not to mention the discovery of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in Canada in May 2003. The CFIA conducted a thorough scientific investigation and was internationally recognized for its efforts.

The Agency addressed new threats to Canada's plant resources. These included the emerald ash borer, a tree-killing insect that spread from southeastern Michigan to Windsor, Ontario, and the swede midge, a tiny insect that threatens cole crops.

The CFIA would not be able to achieve its results without highly qualified, competent and professional employees. The CFIA continued its ongoing efforts to attract and retain skilled employees and build a supportive work environment.

The past year has also been a time for planning for the future, as the CFIA prepared its Corporate Business Plan for 2003-08, which was tabled in Parliament by our Minister on June 18, 2003. The Plan, the second in the Agency's history, outlines five strategic goals on which the Agency will focus its efforts for the next five years:

• protecting Canadians from preventable health risks;
• delivering a fair and effective regulatory regime;
• sustaining the plant and animal resource base;
• promoting the security of Canada's food supply; and
• providing sound Agency management.

All of these strategic goals support established Government of Canada priorities, providing key benefits for all Canadians.

The CFIA was included in the 2003 Budget speech, in which the Agency's annual budget was increased by $50 million. I see this as recognition, both of the increased pressures under which the Agency operates and of the importance of our activities in achieving key federal government priorities.

I believe we can be proud of the work we have accomplished, and I look forward to another year of working with a dedicated, competent and professional team to serve the people of Canada.

Richard B. Fadden
President

MANAGEMENT STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITY

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency's (CFIA) Annual Report for the year ending March 31, 2003, was prepared under the direction of the President of the CFIA and approved by the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. In accordance with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Act, this report also includes an assessment of the fairness and reliability of the performance information prepared by the Auditor General of Canada.

CFIA management is responsible for the accuracy and completeness of the information presented in this annual report. To fulfil this responsibility, management maintains financial and management control systems and practices that provide reasonable assurance that the information presented is accurate and complete.

We believe that significant improvements have been made in this year's annual report. The report is structured along strategic outcomes and results are reported against the objectives set out in the Agency's 2002-03 Report on Plans and Priorities. The presentation of performance information is balanced, and includes all aspects of the CFIA's mandate. Finally, the report acknowledges the contribution of the CFIA's key partners to the achievement of the Agency's overall objectives.

Earlier this year, the CFIA's 2003-08 Corporate Business Plan was tabled in Parliament. The plan provides a clear strategy and an improved planning framework for the Agency's future accountability and performance reporting. Over the next five years, the Agency will concentrate its efforts on the following five strategic objectives that correspond with key Government of Canada priorities:

• Protecting Canadians from preventable health risks;
• Delivering a fair and effective regulatory regime;
• Sustaining the plant and animal resource base;
• Promoting the security of Canada's food supply; and
• Providing sound agency management.

The CFIA's focus on measuring and reporting performance against these objectives will enhance the Agency's accountability and performance reporting for Parliament and for Canadians.

Tom Beaver
Executive Director,
Corporate Planning, Reporting and Accountability