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May 1st, 2018

NDP Calls on Government to Support a National Local Food Day

OTTAWA – Today NDP MP Wayne Stetski (Kootenay–Columbia) kicked off the first hour of debate on his Private Member’s Bill C-281, An Act to establish a National Local Food Day, which would designate the Friday before Thanksgiving of each year as National Local Food Day.

“Food is at the heart of our homes, our communities and our economy,” said Stetski. “Ensuring that Canadians have access to healthy, affordable local food and a sustainable food system need to be national priorities.”

According to Statistics Canada, agriculture contributed $111.9 billion and accounted for 6.7% of Canada’s GDP in 2016. The agriculture and agri-food system as whole provides 1 in 8 Canadian jobs, employing 2.3 million people. Establishing a National Local Food Day would give all Canadians an opportunity to celebrate our local food and recognize the hard work of local producers and harvesters, food manufacturers, farmers’ markets, and others in every region across the country. It would also raise awareness of the challenges many Canadians face in accessing healthy, affordable food close to home.

“A National Local Food Day is something everyone can get behind,” said Stetski. “From coast to coast to coast, we want to celebrate the diversity of what local food means to Canadians. I urge all MPs to help us make National Local Food Day a reality.”