CBA Statement on Montreal Council Motion on Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Tax
TORONTO, Dec. 12, 2017 /CNW/ - The Canadian Beverage Association was disappointed to hear of the motion passed yesterday by Montreal City Council, calling on the Federal government to impose an excise tax on sugar-sweetened beverages.
The motion was passed without consultation from stakeholders, including small businesses who would be hurt most by a tax of this sort.
The beverage industry thrives on innovation and believes that evidence based solutions, drive better health outcomes for Canadians. That is why we are proud of the success of our Balance Calories Initiative to date, eliminating millions of calories from sugar out of Canadians' diets since our baseline report of 2015.
The University of Waterloo report findings, which were referenced during debate of the motion, are based on data that does not reflect the Canadian beverage landscape and has been refuted by both the federal government's own Canadian Community Health Survey and the Conference Board of Canada's, Balance Calories Initiative: 2017 Tracking Report. Both reports demonstrate, that since 2004 consumption of calories from sugar-sweetened beverages in Canada has declined by at least 30%.
This recent data proves that consumption of calories from sugar-sweetened beverages is declining, but obesity rates continue to rise.
Fiscal interventions like consumption taxes have not proven to be successful in terms of obesity reduction. What works are real, meaningful, coordinated efforts by government, industry, and healthcare and consumer stakeholders to implement evidence-based solutions.
The Canadian Beverage Association and its members look forward engaging in a collaborative dialogue between industry, health organizations, and public officials to develop holistic workable solutions to create lasting change for Canadians.
To access the Balance Calories Initiative Tracking Report please visit: Conference Board of Canada
SOURCE Canadian Beverage Association
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