GREEN LAKE — Federal Secretary of State for Rural Development Buckley Belanger highlighted the launch of the National Food Security Strategy this week in Green Lake.
According to a federal news release, Belanger was in Green Lake Tuesday meeting residents to highlight the strategy on behalf of federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Heath MacDonald.
The four main objectives, according to the news release, are:
The first is to spur grocery store competition and create more choice for Canadians, with investment of $1 billion in food infrastructure, including new and expanded food terminals and hubs. This is to help independent grocers buy and move competitively priced products without relying on supply networks owned by large retail chains. There will also be additional funding to provide more resources to the Competition Bureau and Competition Tribunal to investigate, prevent and combat unfair business practices.
The second is to boost domestic food production across Canada with the launch of a new $1 billion Agri-food Project Finance Fund through Farm Credit Canada and a $150 million Food Security Fund to help Canadian businesses grow, produce and process more food in Canada. Another $100 million will go to create the Collaborative Food Innovation Fund, which the government says will "help producers make better use of what they already grow—expanding processing so more parts of each crop are used and so more value is kept in Canada."
A third objective is to grow fruits and vegetables year-round. Another $750 million will go to expand year-round Canadian production of fruits and vegetables through greenhouses, vertical farms and other enclosed spaces.
Finally, the strategy seeks to cut red tape across the agricultural supply chain by modernizing key regulations, speeding up approvals for seeds, feed, fertilizers and veterinary products, and reducing backlogs that slow the system.
The government says the strategy will drive productivity and innovation, support independent grocers, and create greater competition across the food system in Canada to lower prices, with a plan to invest more than $3 billion over 10 years.
The federal government says it has also launched the intake period for the new Community Support Stream under the Local Food Infrastructure Fund. This is a $20 million program stream to support distribution of nutritious food to families in need and those most at risk of food insecurity. The community of Green Lake has previously received funding under this program aimed at strengthening food security.
“I welcome the opportunity for Green Lake to be a food hub community," said Green Lake Mayor Jim Laliberte in a statement. "It has been a tradition to grow our own food and to forage meat and fish; this has been lost to the current generation. Today, we’re glad to be able to re-establish this tradition.”
“Saskatchewan feeds Canada and the world," said Belanger in a statement. "Strong rural, remote and northern communities are key to our country’s food security and food sovereignty. This landmark strategy will help ensure that more of the food Canadians rely on is grown, processed and distributed right here at home, creating new opportunities for rural communities while giving Canadians more food choices and a stronger, more resilient food system, year-round. Thank you to Green Lake and to all Saskatchewan communities that are working hard to improve food security in communities across the province.”
