SUPPORTING CANADIAN CONSUMERS AND CANADA’S FOOD PRODUCERS

OTTAWA, February 22, 2022 – Canada’s Food Facts for Consumers (C3FC) is asking parliamentarians of all political stripes to band together and better support Canadian consumers and food producers.

C3FC has requested that members of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food study how various federal granting programs and funding vehicles can be streamlined, optimized, and focused to grow Canada’s economy and support consumers to buy Canadian.

“This is not a partisan matter. It is one that we hope will find all-party support and benefit all Canadians,” C3FC wrote in messages sent yesterday. “Currently, there is a hodgepodge of granting programs and funding vehicles. But there does not appear to be a coherent strategy to these various initiatives.”

C3FC is requesting that committee members study how existing federal funds could be better used to:

  • ensure Canadians know Canadian food is world-class, nutritious, sustainable, and delicious
  • help address consumers’ mounting food affordability concerns
  • encourage household decision-makers to ‘buy Canadian’ to support our producers and grow our economy as we emerge from the pandemic
  • reduce the carbon footprint of the food we eat
  • promote Canadian food in international markets in which Canada has free trade agreements

A review and strategic approach supported by all parties could then be rolled out and even expanded with more dollars going to places that have better return on investment.

“Canadians deserve to know that every dollar used to promote Canadian food gives tangible results. We believe there is considerable room to improve how we promote the many benefits of Canadian food – here in Canada and around the world,” said Chris Day, C3FC’s national spokesperson.

Canada’s agri-food and agriculture sector employs more than 2 million people, representing one of every nine jobs in Canada. It also accounted for 7.4% of Canada’s total economic output in 2020, the latest year for which figures are available.

“Getting the word out about the benefits of Canadian food is good for Canada and good for all Canadians,” said Day, while pledging C3FC’s assistance to the standing committee study.

Today is Canada’s Agriculture Day. Today and every day, Canada Food Facts for Consumers supports those who buy Canadian food, and those who work so hard to ensure we have food on our tables.

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For interviews and/or additional information: Chris Day, [email protected], 613-794-3780