1. Working towards a
National Food Strategy
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
2. Food is now becoming an issue of
concern and discussion
domestically and internationally.
There is growing recognition that
food can significantly affect the
long-term health status of
Canadians.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
3. • 1 million Canadians suffer from food borne
illness and over $1 billion is needed each
year to cover the costs
• Increasing rates of obesity and chronic
food-related diseases
• Increasing strain on our health-care system
• Climate change and population growth lead
to food shortages
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
4. We cannot respond to changes in
the food system because we lack a
unifying, adaptable, and useful
national food strategy.
Public awareness of this challenge
is growing and Canadians have
become more knowledgable about
the food they eat and the impact it
has on their lives.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
5. Canadian's want healthy,
environmentally friendly,
economical, and sustainable food.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
6. The food sector is a vital part of the
Canadian Economy.
It employs 1 in 8 Canadians and
accounts for 8.2% of total GDP.
Our trade in agriculture products is
a major source of export revenue.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
7. Canadaʼs current food system is
fragmented.
We have varied bits of policy,
programming, and regulations but
nothing cohesive.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
8. Creating a policy without a publicly
supported mandate has relegated
food strategy to the hinterland.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
9. If its about what Canadians eat,
then Canadians need to be
consulted.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
10. A public mandate created through
thoughtful public consultation will
set the foundation and the tone for
policy development.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
11. Is optimal nourishment of our
nation or economic prosperity the
highest purpose of a national food
policy?
Should agricultural production and
distribution be a servant of such a
purpose?
Can we build a system with these
goals in a way that is financially
and environmentally sustainable?
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
12. Food strategy and policy is
complex.
The are many questions and
everyone has an opinion.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
13. MASS LBP creates processes
where citizens' can learn and work
together to use their reason and
their judgement to create informed
recommendations on behalf of
others.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
14. When we start to define
engagement as learning, we can
redefine politics as learning.
This is how we can engage the
public to start things.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
