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October 16th, 2018

The NDP Calls for a National Food Strategy on World Food Day

OTTAWA – On this World Food Day, four million Canadians, including 1.15 million children, are living with food insecurity. The use of food banks continues to rise as does the price of food, yet Canadians are still waiting for this Liberal government to act with urgency.

“In 1976, Canada signed onto the United Nations International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, which includes a right to food. Yet, more than 40 years later, too many Canadians are still having difficulty putting food on the table,” said NDP Agriculture Critic, Alistair MacGregor. “It’s well past time for the federal government to live up to its obligations, and ensure access to safe, affordable and healthy food for all Canadians.”

The NDP recognizes that Canada is a privileged country because of its agricultural diversity, but it still faces many challenges concerning food. The NDP is hoping to see the Liberals support NDP MP Wayne Stetski’s Bill C-281, An Act to establish a National Local Food Day, to highlight the importance of local food and the challenges Canadians face in accessing it. Further still, in a context of increasing food insecurity, in the world and in Canada, the NDP is calling on the Liberals to invest in a national strategy to reduce food waste.

“Reducing food waste must be a key element of a new national food policy in Canada,” said NDP MP, Ruth-Ellen Brosseau (Berthier-Maskinongé). “Many initiatives have emerged in recent years, particularly in Quebec, where Moisson Montreal and Moisson Mauricie-Centre launched pilot projects allowing them to recover food from local supermarkets. Justin Kulik’s petition—which has reached 167 000 signatures—is the latest example of how Canadians want their federal government to implement a national strategy aimed at reducing food waste in Canada.”