It’s about time! And if ever there was, in modern times, a Canadian Prime Minister energetic and bold enough to do it, it’s Mark Carney. He’s announced a new National Food Strategy for Canada which should lower prices and bolster sustainability…
I was waiting anxiously to see how much and what kind of feedback would come following Prime Minister Mark Carney’s unveiling of Canada’s new National Food Strategy. And I’m disappointed to report that ‘reaction’ has been lack-lustre, at best.
What it is
Carney (pictured, top of page) prefaced his announcement with some sobering facts. While Canada is one of the largest exporters of agri-food products in the world, Canadians continue to face some of the highest grocery costs in the G7. He says there is not enough competition between grocery retail-ers, we are not harnessing enough technology in our agri-food sectors, and our food chains rely too heavily on foreign suppliers.
“Canada is one of the world’s great food producers. But too much of what we grow is processed else-where, and too many Canadians still rely on imported food at higher prices,” Carney told a huge media mob.
“Canadian farmers deserve more options to sell their produce, and Canadians deserve more options for where to buy their food. Canada’s first-ever National Food Security Strategy will help grow and process more food here and put more Canada on Canadian plates – lowering costs, creating jobs, and building a food system that is more resilient, more competitive, and more our own.”
All compelling reasons why we need a new strategy.
A major initiative
Backed by more than (C)$3 billion in investments over ten years, the plan will break open the market for independent retailers, boost domestic food production, and build a stronger, more independent, and more affordable food system.
An that should mean a lowering of prices, thanks to increased competition and increased supply, independent of foreign sources and the cost of global transportation.
The nitty gritty…
Specifically, Carney’s plan will push the industry to:
Spur grocery store competition and create more choice for Canadians
- Invest $1 billion in food infrastructure to build new and expanded food terminals and hubs helping independent grocers buy and move competitively priced products without relying on large retail chains.
- Provide the Competition Bureau and Competition Tribunal with nearly $130 million to investigate, prevent, and combat anti-competitive business practices.
Boost domestic food production across Canada
- Launch a new $1 billion Agri-food Project Finance Fund through Farm Credit Canada (FCC) to provide seed capital financing for businesses to expand food processing capacity.
- Establish a $150 million Food Security Fund to help small and medium-sized businesses upgrade their equipment to grow, produce, and process more food in Canada.
- Create a $100 million Collaborative Food Innovation Fund to help producers expand agri-food processing.
Grow fruits and vegetables year-round
- Invest $750 million to drastically expand year-round Canadian production of fruits and vegetables, including through greenhouses, vertical farms, and other enclosed growing spaces.
Cut red tape across the agricultural supply chain
- Modernise key regulations; speed up approvals for seeds, feed, fertilizers, and veterinary products; and reduce backlogs that slow down the system to reduce the regulatory burden on farmers and producers.
- Help provincially licensed food businesses meet federal requirements so that a Canadian product made in one province or territory can more easily reach a shelf in another.
Reaction has been lack-lustre
While medical, nutritional and other professionals are elighted to see the new initiative, others definiely are not. mainly, the grocery cartels, which have been reaping double-digit profits while millions of Canadians in need, or outright below the poverty loin, are on the verge of starving. Because they simply can’t afford enough decent food.
My take
The supermarket mandarins are used to telling the government what to do. Now, the Florsheim is on the other foot!
~ Maggie J.