Government Affairs

Responsible Lobbying & Public Policy Engagement Policy

Public policy on political contributions, lobbying, and association memberships

Purpose

Arva Flour Mills is a small, family-owned grain mill in southwestern Ontario that has been milling flour at the same location since 1819. This policy sets out, for the public record, how Arva Flour Mills engages — or does not engage — in political activity, lobbying, and public policy influence.

Scope

This policy applies to Arva Flour Mills Inc. and to its Directors, owners, employees, and any contractor or representative acting on behalf of the company.

Our position

Arva Flour Mills does not engage in lobbying activities. Specifically:

•      Arva Flour Mills makes no political contributions of any kind — no donations to political parties, candidates, political action committees, third-party advertisers, or referenda campaigns, in Canada or in any other jurisdiction.

•      Arva Flour Mills does not retain lobbyists and is not registered (and has no intention to register) under the Ontario Lobbyists Registration Act or the federal Lobbying Act.

•      Arva Flour Mills does not make in-kind political contributions, including the use of company premises, equipment, employee time, or company-funded travel for political purposes.

•      Arva Flour Mills does not coordinate with, fund, or direct any third party to lobby or advocate on its behalf.

Trade and industry associations

From time to time Arva Flour Mills holds membership in trade or industry organizations whose work supports artisanal grain milling, organic certification, Ontario food and agriculture, or B Corp certification. Current memberships are disclosed below and will be updated as memberships change:

•      Canadian Organic Growers / certifying bodies (organic certification compliance only — no advocacy mandate exercised on our behalf).

•      Ontario Made (provincial origin program — no policy advocacy).

•      B Lab (certification body — no policy advocacy on our behalf).

Where an association of which Arva Flour Mills is a member engages in policy advocacy, Arva Flour Mills does not direct, fund, or endorse those positions and the company does not consider association membership to be a form of lobbying by Arva Flour Mills.

Public statements on policy

Arva Flour Mills may, from time to time, share public views on matters that directly affect the small-scale milling, organic, or local-food sector — for example, organic certification standards, food labelling, or local agriculture. Any such statement will be made openly by a Director, in the Director's own voice, and will be transparent about the company's interest in the matter. It will not be conducted through paid lobbyists or political contributions.

Compliance criteria

This policy is designed to meet B Lab's GACA 1.1 responsible lobbying requirements:

•      (a) Political contributions: prohibited, as stated above.

•      (b) Lobbyist engagement: not retained; no registration under applicable lobbying legislation.

•      (c) Trade association memberships: disclosed publicly in this policy and updated as they change.

•      (d) Annual review: this policy is reviewed each year at the Directors' Annual Review (PSG 5.1), and any change in activity is reflected here.

Accountability and review

Responsibility for this policy rests with the Directors of Arva Flour Mills. Compliance is reviewed each year at the Directors' Annual Review. Any breach of this policy will be reported in the annual review record and corrective action taken.

Publication

This policy is published on the Arva Flour Mills website at arvaflourmills.com and is available to any worker, customer, supplier, or member of the public on request.

Mark Rinker                                                                                     Jo-elle Rinker