The Government of Canada is focused on building a stronger economy and making life more affordable for Canadians. Today, Peter Fragiskatos, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, on behalf of the Honourable Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, highlighted the launch of the National Food Security Strategy.
Backed by more than $3 billion in investments over 10 years, this strategy will drive productivity and innovation, support independent grocers, and create greater competition across Canada's food system to help lower prices for Canadians.
While meeting with Steven Salmons, President and CEO, Windsor Port Authority, he outlined the Strategy's four main objectives:
- Spur grocery store competition and create more choice for Canadians
Canada's new government will invest $1 billion in food infrastructure, including new and expanded food terminals and hubs. This will help independent grocers buy and move competitively priced products without relying on supply networks owned by large retail chains. Additional funding will also provide the Competition Bureau and Competition Tribunal with more resources to investigate, prevent, and take action against unfair business practices.
- Boost domestic food production across Canada
For decades, Canada has exported raw agricultural products to other countries, where they are processed and then sold back to us as finished food products. This strategy aims to change that. It will launch a new $1 billion Agri-food Project Finance Fund through Farm Credit Canada, and a $150 million Food Security Fund to help Canadian businesses grow, produce, and process more food in Canada. The Strategy will also create a $100 million Collaborative Food Innovation Fund that will help producers get more value from what they already grow by supporting more food processing in Canada. This means more of each crop will be used, and more value will stay in Canada.
- Grow fruits and vegetables year-round
We will invest $750 million to drastically expand year-round Canadian production of fruits and vegetables, through greenhouses, vertical farms, and other enclosed growing spaces, including in rural and Northern communities. The Strategy will reduce reliance on long, costly supply chains by expanding local food production.
- Cut red tape across the agricultural supply chain
To help farmers and producers access the tools they need more quickly, we will modernize key regulations, speed up approvals for seeds, feed, fertilizers, and veterinary products, and reduce backlogs in the system. This will support higher productivity and a more stable food supply. The Strategy will also help provincially licensed food businesses meet federal requirements so that food produced and processed under provincial licences can be sold more easily across Canada.
A country's sovereignty depends on its ability to feed itself, fuel itself, and defend itself. Right now, Canada is not fully in control of its own food system. Our reliance on foreign suppliers has left us vulnerable to global shocks including conflicts overseas, droughts, and tariffs. Our new National Food Security Strategy will strengthen Canada's control over its food system by supporting more domestic production and processing. It will give Canadians greater control over what we grow, what we buy, and what we put on our tables supporting a stronger, more affordable, and more resilient Canada for everyone.
