Supply chain crisis and federal budget occupy agriculture sector in busy December
A supply chain crisis exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, and setting the groundwork in advance of this year’s federal budget, were among the major concerns of organizations representing the agriculture sector during one of the most advocacy-heavy Decembers on record. “There’s the labour shortage; the difficulties of accessing them up and down the produce supply […]
Agriculture Minister Bibeau has a new acting chief of staff, Jérémy Gauthier
Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau, who has held her portfolio since 2019, has kicked off the new Parliament with some changes to her ministerial office, where Jérémy Gauthier has stepped in as acting chief of staff. Gauthier took over the reins from Alison Porter, who’s now on maternity leave, in December. Porter was among the first […]
Canada should have a job guarantee program, federally funded, but locally delivered, says Vancouver letter writer
Re: “A decade of proof on how to tackle food insecurity in Canada,” by Tim Li (The Hill Times online, Dec. 28, 2021). Targeting relief to disadvantaged populations makes great sense, yet may overlook a major cause of poverty—a lack of suitable jobs for those seeking work. The solution is a job guarantee program, federally funded but […]
A decade of proof on how to tackle food insecurity in Canada
Every holiday season, Canadians are reminded to donate to their local food banks. The support shown over the 40-year history of food banks in this country is a testament to the compassion we have for each other. But food banks will be the first to tell you that they aren’t the solution for food insecurity. […]
Canada can become a world-class supplier for plant-based ingredients
In the past two years, the Canadian food supply chain experienced more disruption than it has in previous decades. First COVID-19 and now the flooding in British Columbia. While both are tragic events, they are very different. However, both have had the same impact on our food supply chain—demonstrating its fragility and leaving Canadians staring […]
Nutrition summit an opportunity to rethink investments in women, food systems, and agriculture
The Nutrition for Growth Summit (N4G) will focus attention on ending global malnutrition, with donors expected to identify ways and provide resources so everyone, everywhere can reach their full potential. N4G will be hosted by the Government of Japan between Dec. 7 and 8. While agriculture is critical to improving nutrition outcomes, it does not […]
Feed the world, food for thought: a new national strategy with a moral imperative
Now that the 44th general election is over, ballots cast and counted, and the Liberals have secured their third mandate, it is critical to consider what’s next to create wealth and get our economy on a track that will pay for the deficit we have now inherited thanks to COVID-19 and cover the costs of […]
COP26 big moment for Canada to act on empowering food producers in face of climate crisis
At a time when the world is facing two urgent crises—pandemic and planetary—the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference is a prime opportunity for Canada to show its seriousness in tackling both emergencies. At COP26, to be held in Glasgow, Scotland, from Oct. 31 to Nov. 12, Canada should demonstrate its support for more climate resilient food systems. Building resilient food systems will allow small-scale food producers to cope with shocks, adapt to […]
Budget 2021 boosts farmers tackling climate change
Like most Canadian farmers, I’ve experienced firsthand the disruptions that COVID-19 has brought to our sector, from labour shortages and supply chain problems to wild swings in market demand. This past year has been a challenge, but as farmers we are already dealing with a much bigger threat to agriculture and our livelihoods: climate change. […]
Urging Canada to do its fair share for international climate finance
“How can I use farming to get out of my desperation?” asks Mehsane Sahle, a small-scale farmer in the Benishangul-Gumuz region of Ethiopia. A mother of three in her late 50s, Mehsane’s livelihood depends on the crops and livestock she can raise on her small plot of land, but with poor soil, erratic rainfall, and […]
