Food Forward Discusses Kathleen Wynne’s Position on Ontario Food
Posted: January 21, 2013
Categories: Food in the News / GoodFoodBites
Credit: OntarioLiberal.ca .
Food Forward has distributed a short questionnaire to Liberal leadership candidates to prompt discussion about their plans for good food in Ontario and the Local Food Act. Candidate Kathleen Wynne responded with her comments, which you can read below.
From Food Forward:
Liberal leadership candidate Kathleen Wynne has written Food Forward, committing to pass a strengthened Local Food Act that would, “develop goals and targets around the production, processing, distribution, sales and marketing of Ontario food.”
This statement on goals and targets across the sector is an improvement upon uncertain language in the Local Food Act. When the government prorogued the Legislature, the Act, which had just been introduced, was left in limbo.
Wynne had previously committed to re-introducing the Act and serving as Minister of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs. Other relevant points in her platform relating to food/jobs include:
– “Streamline regulations that impact the Agri-food industry, review current rural/agricultural assessment and taxation, and develop a single window information approach to government” Food Forward has asked for a review of regulations that hamper small food enterprises
– “Introduce community hubs for adult education and training – coordinating government, non-profit, and private sector resources to give recent graduates, new Canadians and the unemployed practical tools to participate in the workforce”
Food Forward also wants to see buying targets and government support for farmers who grow healthy, ecological food and small food sector start-ups. Though risk management programs have their place and food exports have been a recent priority of Premier McGuinty, the government and future premier will need to develop more creative policies to effectively address and bring small farms back to Ontario. Food sector policy that considers farmer income, fair labour, and young and newcomer farmers to grow ecologically food for diverse, local markets would support the creation of new food jobs and market opportunities in Toronto.
Food Forward also supports Sustain Ontario’s call for food leadership.
Visit PushFoodForward.com to read Kathleen Wynne’s letter and response to Food Forward’s questionnaire.