Canada Considers Nationwide Food Policy

Canada’s federal government is in the process of establishing a holistic and comprehensive food policy across the country.

In 2017, the government launched a consultation that included workshops and town halls across the country. It also included a food summit and online survey in which approximately 45,000 Canadians shared their opinions about the food policy.

According to a column in The Conversation, Canadians expressed a desire to see a safer and cleaner environment, and 76 percent of the respondents said “conserving natural resources” was a top priority for the food policy.

The Conversation has more details:

One of the key commitments the federal government made upon taking office was to establish a food policy for all Canadians.

The rationale was simple. Although, or perhaps because, food intersects so many aspects of life — including the health of Canadians, the sustainability of our environment and the competitiveness of our industry — it falls between ministerial portfolios. Comprehensive policy on something as complex and important as food, therefore, needs a “whole-of-government” approach.

Consequently, food experts across the country grew excited when we learned that mandate letters for both the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-food and the Minister of Health required them to establish a holistic, comprehensive and co-ordinated food policy.

Read the full article here.