[avatar user=”johnsmibert” size=”160″ align=”left”]John Smibert
Chairman Canadian Association of Ice Industries[/avatar]
I am writing you today as I look outside on our first snowfall of the season, with a windchill of -4C after a balmy fall season which enabled us to catch up on outside tasks. Winter weather has arrived!
Our CAII website (www.canadianpackagedice.org) is available now as a tool for your marketing needs. By Scott Valance, we have been told there is good activity so it is evident that the public is taking a look. If you have any articles or pictures about your company that you would like posted to the site, please email the info to one of the CAII executives and we will pass it along.
As stated in the last issue of Ice World Journal, the CAII conversation with CFIA led to a meeting in Ottawa. This was to give us a face-to-face opportunity to discuss, ask questions and /or seek further clarification as well as give CFIA the chance to explain to us in greater detail any adjustments needed to make our food safety program (PIQCS) ready for the screening process of the Technical Review (TR1) under the Food Safety Recognition Program (FSRP).
The meeting was arranged for Tuesday, October 18, 2016 from 10:00 to 12:00 noon. Our team of Brent Bonvarlez, David Croft, Brett Fletcher, Pierre Fortier, Jane McEwen and me, met with CFIA representatives Tim Mellor, Allison Orr and Mylene Rochon, all of the FSRP. We all traveled to Ottawa on Monday to meet, have dinner and plan our strategies for the next day’s meeting. We also met for a brief review at breakfast before the meeting. At the two hour morning meeting, the CAII was able to express our position on food safety in the industry. The CFIA made some comments about the FSRP. The topics covered included:
- We have an excellent model (PIQCS) for the FRSP
- The process would take many months to complete (TR1, assessing standards, auditing the model, monitoring)
- Resources are available for potential participation. FSRP will send more details with forms for participation and funding to Jane McEwen and myself.
- The CAII will have to discuss the FRSP and the perceived value of proceeding at the AGM in San Antonio.
Subsequent to discussions at the CAII Annual General Meeting, the IPIA has sent a letter to the CFIA stating the intentions of the CAII regarding the FSRP process. Here are excerpts:
After conflicted discussions, the CAII has determined that it appears it would be of relatively little value with respect to the efforts it would entail to pursue the FSRP and enter the TR1 process at this time. As you are well aware, the HACCP Plan which was generated by our industry with CFIA in 2004, was quietly shelved and then abandoned… With the Food Safety Recognition Program being voluntary when the process is finished, our association members are agreed that the program would not further our efforts for consistent and fair oversight of the packaged ice industry in Canada. If industry conditions change, we will certainly re-connect with CFIA and the Food Safety Recognition Program.
We thanked them for their time and energy on our behalf.
Looking forward, at the AGM I announced our participation with the Great Lakes Ice Assoc. and the Mo.Valley Ice Assoc. at their joint convention in Detroit, Michigan the Atheneum Hotel on March 25-29, 2017. Tom Howat will be contacting all CAII members via email with more details and registration information. This is an opportunity for three packaged ice industry regions to gather with valued suppliers to discuss industry matters. We are also privileged to take a tour of the US Ice plant, courtesy of Saad Abbo and his family. This is a totally renovated plant which is now fully automated. It will be an eye-opener! I hope you will mark your calendar and be able to join us for this unique event.
The recently held IPIA 99th Annual Convention and Trade show in San Antonio was a wonderful event. There were 345 attendees at the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa. Our loyal suppliers did a great job once again, displaying their products and hosting a fantastic exhibit hall, providing tasty lunches and valued door prizes (right, Walter Berry?) The keynote speaker and educational sessions all themed to help us improve our operations. The Chairman’s outside bumper party was one of the best ever in my recollection. Food was excellent and the band first-rate (especially the vocals). Thanks to Tommy and Leah Sedler for suggesting this and hosting the evening.
On the final night, and on a personal note, I was surprised to receive the Bill Berkoski Advocacy Award. I would like to thank the IPIA Executive and Board for this special honour. A number of years ago, when the IPIA board meeting was held in Washington D.C., I had the privilege of watching Bill in action and working with him as we set about relaying the IPIA message that Ice is Food to members of the U.S. government. He demonstrated a deep knowledge and great passion for our packaged ice industry. That is why this award is so meaningful. Thank you again.
In the fall of 2017, the IPIA will be celebrating its 100th anniversary in Huntington Beach California at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort and Spa from November 14-18, 2017. Mark your calendars for this centennial celebration. Dan and Linda Ades will be hosting this event and they have a great program planned:- a beach party and a tour of their Cold Star Ice facility, among other events. Our fantastic suppliers plan on having a great presentation to help with the celebrations as well. Watch for details to come.
With respect to this special anniversary, the CAII, at its AGM in San Antonio, discussed ideas to help with the celebration. After open discussions, a motion was made to assist with the cost of our CAII members’ registering for the event and was passed. Here is the motion:
Members and Canadian Associate members of the CAII in good standing (dues paid and completed audit) attending the 100th Annual Convention at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach on Nov14-18, 2017 will be eligible to receive a rebate on their registration of $400Cdn for the first registrant and $200Cdn for three subsequent registrants, to a maximum of $1000Cdn per member company.
We are hoping this incentive to the membership will encourage a good Canadian turnout for the IPIA’s 100th!
As our seasons have finally changed, Mary and I would like to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and prosperous new year. All the best for 2017!