Transforming Canada’s Food Systems: How the Food Policy Advisory Council is Leading Collaborative Change

There are growing concerns about the decline of government institutions and transparent governance in the United States. This situation highlights the importance of democracy and strong governance that supports civil society in political matters, especially with diverse voices like Indigenous communities and private sector stakeholders.

In Canada, the food system has a rich history of engaging with government. People and organizations have worked hard to create inclusive governance structures. These structures bring together producers, harvesters, and workers along the entire food chain.

A significant step forward came in 2019 with the launch of the Food Policy for Canada. This framework aimed to coordinate federal food-related initiatives and tackle vital challenges within Canada’s food systems. The goal was to enhance social, health, environmental, and economic outcomes.

This led to the formation of the Canadian Food Policy Advisory Council, initially seen as a promising model for government engagement. However, both the policy and the council have yet to realize their full potential.

Research indicates that such initiatives need proper support and resources to thrive. As scholars examining effective approaches to building sustainable food systems, we looked deep into the Food Policy Advisory Council. Our focus was on understanding its development, operation, and potential impact.

We interviewed the council’s initial members, which included farmers, grocery executives, and academics. They shared whether the council had fostered meaningful engagement with government and other food system decision-makers. Additionally, we analyzed feedback from government officials regarding our initial findings.

Food insecurity is a pressing issue in Canada. Recent data shows that over 20% of Canadians face food insecurity, with nearly 25% of those being children. Alarmingly, Canada wastes nearly half of its food, and over 40% of that waste is completely avoidable.

The way we produce and consume food also contributes significantly to climate change. It’s estimated that about one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions are linked to food systems, exacerbating events like floods, heat waves, and droughts. A collaboration of diverse stakeholders called for an advisory group in 2018 to develop integrated solutions for these complex issues, inspired by food policy councils known for their collaborative approach.

Established in 2021, the Food Policy Advisory Council aims to inform the government about issues such as food waste, agricultural sustainability, and food insecurity. It also advocates for initiatives like a National School Food Program.

Through our discussions with council members, it became clear that their commitment to collaborating is strong. However, they raised concerns about representation and fairness within the council, particularly regarding Indigenous voices and the lack of replacements for members who step down. Some members also expressed worries about confidentiality agreements interfering with open communication with their communities.

Our findings emphasize the need for deeper involvement of advisory council members in decision-making and a more transparent feedback process. Despite a recent recruitment push, new members have not yet been appointed, and the council hasn’t convened since fall 2023.

Amid these challenges, the council can still be pivotal in supporting the Food Policy for Canada and enhancing our food systems. Participatory governance holds great potential for accountability and innovative solutions. With the current crises in governance both in Canada and the U.S., strengthening entities like the Canadian Food Policy Advisory Council is more important than ever.

As partnerships between civil society, the private sector, and Indigenous communities grow, we can foster solutions that improve both democracy and food systems in Canada. The new Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Heath MacDonald, will ultimately influence the council’s trajectory, making it crucial for him to prioritize this collaborative effort.

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