National Food Policy Launched. Have your say!
Posted: June 9, 2017
Categories: GoodFoodBites
A Food Policy for Canada! Have your say!
The Government of Canada wants to hear from you! On May 29th, Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister, Lawrence MacAulay, announced that the Government of Canada is launching consultations to support the development of a Food Policy for Canada. Canadians are encouraged to help develop this policy by participating in an online survey that will cover what food issues matter to them. The survey will ask for input on four of the following themes:
- Increasing access to affordable food
- Improving health and food safety
- Conserving our soil, water and air
- Growing more high- quality food
This online consultation will help the federal government to understand Canadians priorities when it comes to food issues. All comments received during the online consultation will be gathered and summarized into a “What We Heard Report” and guide the development of A Food Policy for Canada. The government of Canada will also be holding a Food Policy for Canada Summit in Ottawa on June 22-23,2017. Learn more about the summit here.
Why does Canada need a food policy?
From the Government of Canada’s website, a food policy for Canada will set a long-term vision for the health, environmental, social and economic goals that relate to good, while in turn understanding and identifying short term actions we can take. A food policy will also help us to address issues related to the production, processing, distribution, and consumption of food.
Questions can be directed here: FoodPolicy-PolitiqueAlimentaire@Canada.ca
Join the conversation! #FoodPolicy4Canada
Food Secure Canada has welcomed the launch of consultations and has proposed Five Big Ideas for a Better Food System.
“Food Secure Canada is a pan- Canadian alliance of organizations and individuals working together to advance food security and food sovereignty through three interlocking goals: zero hunger, healthy and safe food and sustainable food systems.”
Here are Food Secure Canada’s Five Big Ideas for a Better Food System that can be embraced by Canada’s new food policy:
- Realize the human right to food by taking concrete steps to progressively eliminate food insecurity, which currently affects four million Canadians;
- Champion healthy and sustainable diets, using government purchasing power and dietary guidance to improve health and environmental outcomes;
- Commit to support for sustainable food systems and waste reduction throughout our agriculture and fisheries;
- Make food a part of reconciliation by working with First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples to ensure Indigenous food sovereignty and guaranteed access to traditional resources;
- Invite more voices to the table by establishing a new National Food Policy Council to enhance transparency and citizen oversight of our food system.