About the CBA
The CBA is the trusted and leading voice for Canada’s sustainable, collaborative, responsible, and competitive non-alcoholic beverage sector.
The non-alcoholic beverage manufacturing sector contributes over $2.2 billion to Canada’s GDP and directly supported more than 16,000 full-time-equivalent (FTE) jobs across Canada.
What We Do
The CBA works on behalf of its members and in collaboration with key stakeholders to strengthen, protect and promote a competitive business environment that inspires responsible and sustainable innovation and growth while contributing to a strong Canadian economy.
What Drives Our Work
Trusted and Evidence-based
As the voice of the non-alcoholic beverage sector, CBA leverages most up-to-date science and evidence-based information to support all its efforts.
Socially Responsible
The CBA and its members are committed to responding in socially and environmentally responsible ways that support Canadians.
Innovative and Inspired
Collaborative
The CBA is proud to collaborate with other stakeholders, associations, and each other to address the issues that face the sector.
Meet the CBA team
Magaly Beaulne
Chief Administrative Officer
Cristina Cuda
Senior Manager, Regulatory Affairs
Mark Dekker
Vice President, Sustainability, Scientific and Regulatory Affairs
Sheila Dumesh
Manager, Sustainability
Ana Hamilton
Manager, Communications and Engagement
Devon Hill
Director, Government Relations, Western Canada
Richard Linley
Vice President, Stakeholder Affairs and Government Relations
Krista Scaldwell
President
Erich Schmidt
Senior Director, Communications and Public Affairs
History of the CBA
Today, the CBA represents more than 60 of the brands that Canadians know and love but at the association’s inception, the Canadian non-alcoholic beverage landscape looked much different than it does today.
1940s
In 1940, there were more than 500 independent bottlers of soft drinks in Canada. In this tough pre-war economy, gasoline and tires, vital for the delivery of beverages, were severely rationed. Glass was in short supply. Regulated quotas of sugar caused serious production problems and high taxes were hurting the industry. It was this business climate that provided the impetus for these competitors to begin discussions on forming an association for the benefit of the entire industry. And so, in 1942, the Canadian Bottlers of Carbonated Beverages (CBCB) was created.
The industry thrived for the next 25 years and the CBCB was then renamed the Canadian Soft Drink Association (CSDA) in 1969.
1969+
Continued volume growth and prosperity was accompanied by consolidation, packaging innovation and the inevitable regulatory changes which necessitated a major overhaul of the Association’s focus and strategic agenda.
2001
In 2001, the CSDA was renamed Refreshments Canada and was launched with a new structure, staff, board of directors, mandate, objectives and strategic focus.
2011
Finally, in January 2011, Refreshments Canada was renamed the Canadian Beverage Association (CBA).
The CBA is now the national industry association that represents the broad spectrum of companies that manufacture and distribute the majority of non-alcoholic refreshment beverages consumed in Canada. The CBA continues advocating for responsible policies that balance consumer choice, health, and sustainability. CBA members are committed to creating a positive impact through sustainable practices, transparency, and collaboration.