On January 26th,听2026听Prime Minister Mark Carney听. As of February 2nd, the federal political parties had united to fast track the required legislation through parliament. The measures announced are all steps in the right direction, particularly the听. But听there鈥檚听an opportunity here to step back and commit to more bold and integrated food-system transformation, which is听urgently needed from a social, economic and environmental point of view. The announcement commits to some of this by promising to buttress domestic听food self-sufficiency including support to small and medium enterprises, greenhouses,听and to deliver听a National Food Security Strategy focused on addressing root causes and other measures. What needs to come next is a clearer vision of what success looks like. A reminder that the听2019听听set out such a听vision听which should inform the current Government of Canada鈥檚 next steps:听听
鈥淎ll people in Canada听are able to听access听a sufficient amount of听safe, nutritious, and culturally diverse food. Canada's food system is resilient and innovative, sustains our environment and supports our economy.鈥澨�
础听听of the听Food听Policy was published in 2024. To be sure, there has been progress, despite the turbulent environment associated with the Covid-19 pandemic and the unexpected curveballs coming from our听neighbours听to the south. Curiously, the progress report does not address the听听补苍诲听, which were referenced as听key related federal initiatives听in the听. Diet-related disease costs Canada an estimated听听补苍诲听a听听also points to听the impact of听diet-related diseases.听听
So how do we听operationalize the vision of the Food Policy and the Prime Minister鈥檚 more recent announcements?听The case of Brazil - a large, complex federation, which is considered middle-income - might provide 鈥渇ood for thought鈥� as听our听food-system policy and program landscape evolves.听听
The Underlying Philosophy of Brazil鈥檚 Approach听
Brazil views food systems as central to economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental protection, crucial for achieving听the听.听Brazil鈥檚听strategy recognizes that food insecurity is primarily a social protection issue. This means that the country has strengthened programs such as the听Bolsa听Fam铆lia听- a conditional cash-transfer program targeted to low-income families - and the听Programa听Nacional de听Alimenta莽茫o听Escolar听(PNAE)听-听national school feeding program serving听. But means tested programs such as the听Bolsa Familia听- which went听through听听due to the country鈥檚 financial situation听- and the proposed new Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit - also targeted to听low-income听households - have their pros and cons. Some social protection experts argue that universal programs such as Old Age Security (OAS),听where the state taxes back the wealthy,听are simpler to administer and more politically听feasible听in the long听run. We know that听听
Last year, the United Nations declared Brazil as听. But in addition to听approaches aimed at reducing inequality and improving nutrition,听the country has also instituted progressive policies and programs with respect to food production,听distribution听and procurement.听As听one听of the听world鈥檚 largest producers of agricultural products such as soybeans, coffee, sugarcane, beef and chicken, Brazil - like听Canada听- is听home to conventional food production. However, unlike Canada Brazil听has听also听embraced听moving听toward more sustainable practices, including low-carbon incentives - notably the听,听agro-ecology and organic production. Likewise, Brazil invests in research and technology to develop resilient, sustainable, and locally adapted food systems, integrating biodiversity听considerations.听
Other Pillars of Brazil's Approach: How does Canada stack up?听
Canada and Brazil have听a number of听differences听in terms of standards of living,听climate听and demographics,听but听we also have similarities, such as being federations听补苍诲听middle powers, for example.听While we would need to think through adaptations to suit the Canadian context, here are three听things Canada should aspire to听learning听from听Brazil as it begins to define its food security strategy:听听
- Integrated Governance: Building public policy through strong collaboration between government, civil society, academia, and the private sector, especially through Brazil's National Council for Food and Nutrition Security () and the National Food and Nutrition Security System (SISAN),听has been a hallmark of the country鈥檚 success. This includes a 鈥溾�� aligning municipal policies听with other orders of government. Food policy governance in Brazil has inspired scholars and activists around the world,听. Sadly, Canada鈥檚听听has not been active in recent years and needs to be reactivated. But the municipal level is active in various parts of the country with councils active in听,听听补苍诲听听to name a few examples.听听
- Support for Smallholders: Given the dominance of large agri-food conglomerates around the world,听Brazil鈥檚 strategy听seeks听to听empower听family farmers and small businesses through programs like the听听(PAA) to ensure income, provide food to vulnerable populations, and promote local food systems.听It鈥檚听encouraging to see the Government of Canada鈥檚 commitment to investing in a $150 million Food Security Fund to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) under the existing听.听But there is more we could and should learn from the Brazil experience.听Public sector procurement focused on SMEs would help bolster the benefits of this type of programming.听
- Consumer and Waste Focus: Last but certainly not least, Brazil has focused on promoting healthy diets,听building consumer awareness for sustainable choices, and听reducing food loss and waste. More systematic work can be done in Canada in this regard and Canada鈥檚 Healthy Eating Strategy and Food Guide is a good starting point. So too听is听the听听labelling, which听has finally come into force after a听three-year听ramp-up to label foods high in sugar,听salt听and saturated fats. On the food loss and waste front,听a听听estimated that 47% of food produced in Canada is wasted.听So,听there is more we should or could do听in Canada听in terms of reducing food loss and waste and, furthermore,听it鈥檚听one of the few areas where civil society and industry agree that听there鈥檚听a problem that needs听to听be fixed.听
Future Directions for Canada?听听听
Success for Canada going forward rests on听enhancing policy听alignment. At the federal level, issues affecting food systems are听currently siloed between Agriculture and Agri-food Canada, Health Canada and Industry Science and Economic Development听to name a few departments. We also need to听strengthen multi-actor dialogue and coordination at federal,听provincial听and municipal levels听-听building on听some of听the work already happening.听Above all, however,听we听need听a commitment to embedding听food听system transformation into a听national听plan. Looking to other听jurisdictions, including but not limited to Brazil, could be beneficial.听
