e-1408 (Food policy)

Petition to the Government of Canada

• Most Canadians are not aware that Canada is the only G8 country without a comprehensive national food policy;
• In a 2017 UNICEF report card, Canada ranked 37th of 41 wealthy countries, on the issue of food security—access to safe, nutritious, affordable and sufficient food;
• This low ranking is shocking, given that Canada is one of few countries in the world that can comfortably feed its people and also export its food products;
• While some areas of Canada are relatively food secure, others are faced with food insecurity, particularly among low-income families, homeless youth and northern indigenous communities;
• The UNICEF report states that in 2012, 1.15 million Canadian children lived in households struggling to afford the food they need;
• Most concerning was Nunavut, where 62% of children were in food-insecure households; and
• Food insecurity affects learning and social functioning, and has impacts on mental and physical health, leading to increased costs for Canada’s health insurance and other social programs.