Ottawa/IBNS-CMEDIA: Canada on Thursday launched its first National Food Security Strategy, pledging more than C$3 billion ($2.2 billion) over the next decade to strengthen domestic food production, increase grocery competition and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers.
Prime Minister Mark Carney said the strategy aims to address rising food costs and supply chain vulnerabilities linked to global trade disruptions, geopolitical conflicts and climate-related pressures.
According to a statement, the plan includes C$1 billion for food infrastructure projects such as new food terminals and distribution hubs intended to support independent grocers and improve access to competitively priced products.
The government will also allocate nearly C$130 million to strengthen enforcement against anti-competitive practices in the grocery sector.
A further C$1 billion will be directed to a new Agri-food Project Finance Fund administered by Farm Credit Canada to help businesses expand food-processing capacity.
Additional funding includes C$150 million for equipment upgrades at small and medium-sized food businesses and C$100 million to support innovation in food processing.
To expand year-round production of fruits and vegetables, the government said it will invest C$750 million in greenhouses, vertical farms and other controlled-environment agriculture projects.
The strategy also includes regulatory reforms aimed at accelerating approvals for seeds, fertilisers, animal feed and veterinary products, while reducing administrative burdens across the agricultural supply chain.
“Canadian farmers deserve more options to sell their produce, and Canadians deserve more options for where to buy their food,” Carney said in a statement announcing the plan.
Canada’s new food security strategy will reduce administrative formalities in the agricultural supply chain to help places get food to grocery stores more efficiently, Carney said. Photo: Mark Carney/X
Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald said the initiative would help process more Canadian-grown food domestically while creating opportunities for farmers and food processors.
The announcement comes as governments worldwide seek to strengthen food security amid supply disruptions and persistent inflation pressures that have pushed food prices higher in recent years.
Canada is one of the world’s largest agri-food exporters, but the government said Canadians continue to face some of the highest grocery costs among G7 nations.
The strategy builds on previously announced affordability measures, including support for food banks, tax incentives for greenhouse construction and reforms to food access programmes in northern communities.
(Reporting by Suman Das)
