“From advancements in plant science and precision agriculture to sustainable aquaculture…Canada’s food system continues to evolve in ways that benefit the economy, the environment, and the public.” – Mia Parker, Mowi Canada West.
By Samantha McLeod
SeaWestNews
A sweeping new national campaign launched this week is calling on Canadians to recognize and celebrate the country’s food system.
Titled Canada’s Food System: Our Food. Our Future, the initiative underscores the vital role that food production, innovation, and sustainability play in shaping the country’s economy, environment, and identity.
“In a time of domestic economic strengthening, global trade disruptions, and climate pressure, this initiative is making a bold case for rethinking how Canadians see the food system…not simply as infrastructure, but as a foundational pillar of the country’s future,” states the Canadian Centre for Food Integrity (CCFI), which is spearheading the campaign.
“The initiative reminds Canadians that the food system supports over 2 million Canadian jobs, contributes more than $140 billion to the national GDP, and ranks as the fifth largest exporter of agriculture and agri-food products globally,” said Keith Currie, President of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture.
“With export targets reaching $75 billion by 2025, the sector plays a vital role in driving growth, securing trade, and strengthening Canada’s global economic standing.”
From primary producers to processors and shippers, the food system links Canadians from coast to coast, a message echoed by leaders across the industry.
“Canada’s food system is more than the sum of its parts. It’s a national strength that cuts across geography, language, and economy,” said Jean-Marc Ruest, Senior Vice-President, Corporate Affairs and General Counsel at Richardson International, a global leader in agriculture and food processing.
“It serves as a sector that is critical to our growth and economic prosperity and also acts as a unifying force from coast to coast to coast.”
Central to the campaign is the Canada’s Food System pledge — a national invitation for Canadians to express support for the people who “grow, raise, catch, make, and move our food every day.”
“Ours is one of the most innovative sectors in the country,” said Mia Parker, Director, Environmental Performance & Certification at Mowi Canada West, which is part of the world’s largest supplier of farm-raised salmon and ranked as the most sustainable protein producer
“From advancements in plant science and precision agriculture to sustainable aquaculture, manufacturing, and food processing, Canada’s food system continues to evolve in ways that benefit the economy, the environment, and the public.”
The campaign also aims to rebuild public trust by showcasing the people, technologies, and partnerships behind the food Canadians enjoy.
“Leaders in the food sector in Canada have seen a drop in understanding of and trust in Canadian food production and the overall food system in the last number of years,” said Timothy Kennedy, President & CEO Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance (CAIA).
“Farmed seafood production in the country, which generates over $5.3 billion in economic activity and $2 billion in GDP, has plunged to its lowest level in a decade,” said Kennedy, who is a CCFI board member.
“A cross-sector education and public engagement campaign is important to re-connect Canadians with where their food comes from and the high standards for food production in our country…This applies to seafood farming as well. Our production is amongst the best in the world, and the best regulated.”
“This is a story we can all share,” added Lisa Bishop-Spencer, Executive Director at the Canadian Centre for Food Integrity. “It’s about trust, progress, and pride in what we grow, create, and contribute together.”
The campaign is a sector-wide collaboration supported by partners across the food system, reflecting the shared leadership and values that underpin Canadian food production, she said.
To sign the pledge and learn more, visit: www.canadasfoodsystem.ca
(main image courtesy of Mowi)