This policy outlines the Canadian Dairy Commission’s approach to helping regulated parties understand their regulatory obligations.
Canadian Dairy Commission context
The Canadian Dairy Commission (CDC) is a Crown corporation responsible for coordinating federal and provincial dairy policies and creating a control mechanism for milk production which would help stabilize revenues and avoid costly surpluses. The CDC is in charge of two of the three pillars of the supply management system for Canadian dairy industry: support prices and market sharing quota. The CDC also monitors national production and demand and recommends the necessary adjustments to the national production target for industrial milk. The CDC is responsible for regulatory instruments under the Canadian Dairy Commission Act. The CDC’s regulatory instruments serve mostly to balance the supply of Canadian dairy products against the overall demand by establishing federal quota, to authorize the setting of levies and charges, and to offer marketing opportunities to Canadian dairy stakeholders. The CDC will endeavour to provide information to assist stakeholders’ understanding of their regulatory requirements. The information in this policy is applicable to the CDC.
Building an awareness of regulatory requirements
The CDC publishes regulatory information on its website to ensure the public’s awareness of existing and proposed regulatory requirements. The CDC website includes resources and reference materials regarding its programs. Since the CDC’s regulations serve mainly to enable programs and marketing opportunities for Canadian dairy stakeholders, the CDC builds awareness by communicating with target audiences about available programs and services. This includes, but is not limited to, communicating through web content, information bulletins, news releases, exhibits, trade shows and seminars and social media (Twitter).
Responding to enquiries
The CDC responds to enquiries by stakeholders in a clear, consistent, and professional manner, in the official language of the stakeholder’s choice and generally in the form that enquiries are made, whether orally or in writing. Responses in writing are given when requested by the stakeholder, a stakeholder inquiry is received in writing and/or when it would be preferable for the CDC to maintain a record of the interaction. The CDC is committed to delivering high quality service when responding to questions related to regulatory interpretation because we understand the importance of the dairy industry to our economy and communities. At the CDC, we are client-focused and accountable to our stakeholders. We pride ourselves in providing timely and accurate information. We strive to achieve the following service standards when replying to questions related to regulatory interpretation. Under normal circumstances:
- To respond to initial e-mail enquiries within two (2) business days.
- To respond to initial telephone enquiries within one (1) business day.
Depending on the complexity of the question, a written interpretive response to a question about a regulation can take 30 days or longer to receive. Responses to enquiries are not binding on the CDC unless it communicates otherwise to the stakeholder. The CDC does not provide legal advice about how specific regulations may apply to particular circumstances. Frequently asked questions (FAQ’s) can be found at (Frequently Asked Questions). Online requests for information on the CDC’s regulations received by aafc.regulation-reglementation.aac@canada.ca are monitored and forwarded to the appropriate regulatory analyst for response. Online requests for information on the CDC’s regulations received by the CDC’s general email mailbox at cdc-ccl@cdc-ccl.gc.ca and telephone enquiries are monitored by CDC employees and forwarded to the appropriate regulatory analyst for response. Errors and problems are addressed on a case by case basis by the regulatory analyst. Note: This is not a legal document and is not intended to provide legal advice, it sets out the Department's general approach to interpreting regulations and is not a binding statement of the approach that the Department would follow in any particular case. The specific facts of a case, as well as the nature of the information and data available, determine how the Department would respond in a particular matter.
Commitment to professional service
The CDC commits to excellence in service when dealing with all stakeholders, by providing professional, courteous and respectful service. The CDC provides ongoing support to its employees by providing them with the necessary training to deliver high quality, professional services and to provide information on regulatory requirements. Standard operating procedures are maintained to ensure that staff are trained to attain excellence in service when working with stakeholders. The CDC revisits and updates its service procedures on a regular basis, and identifies opportunities for improvement.
Stakeholder engagement
The CDC uses feedback from stakeholders received during the regulatory consultation process to plan and prepares materials and activities to promote regulatory compliance, where appropriate. In addition to regulatory consultations, the CDC engages stakeholders through mechanisms such as advisory committees, roundtables, online consultations and surveys and, where feasible and appropriate. The CDC analyzes enquiries and comments received from stakeholders to better adapt its materials to their needs. The CDC addresses concerns raised by stakeholders about regulatory requirements through existing feedback processes and is dedicated to making a continual effort to improve its service to Canadians The CDC has developed a Record of Standing Policy for the Canadian Milk Supply Management Committee (CMSMC) which is updated annually. This comprehensive document includes the National Milk Marketing Plan (the Plan), a detailed description of the dairy industry’s other federal and provincial agreements, and all decisions related to the Plan since its inception. It has been made available to the CMSMC and dairy industry members via the CDC Member’s site since July 2014. In response to the feedback received following the consultations, the CDC enhanced its communication efforts to the CMSMC and dairy industry members to raise awareness that the document is available.
Date of the last revision
This policy was last updated on April 2, 2019. Consult the Canadian Dairy Commission’s Acts and Regulations web page for: a list of Acts and Regulations administered by the Canadian Dairy Commission further information on the Canadian Dairy Commission’s implementation of government-wide regulatory management initiatives Consult the following for links to the Cabinet Directive on Regulation and supporting policies and guidance, and for information on government-wide regulatory initiatives implemented by departments and agencies across the Government of Canada:
- Government-Wide Forward Regulatory Plans
- Federal regulatory management
- Learn more about regulatory cooperation
To learn about upcoming or ongoing consultations on proposed federal regulations, visit: