Strategic environmental assessment completed for the Food Policy

In accordance with the Cabinet Directive on the Environmental Assessment of Policy, Plan and Program Proposals, a detailed level strategic environmental assessment (SEA) was conducted for A Food Policy for Canada. The purpose of the SEA was to analyze and document the extent of the potential important positive and negative environmental effects. The SEA looked at the Food Policy as a whole, and at specific initiatives under the four short-term action areas:

  • Help Canadian communities access healthy food
  • Make Canadian food the top choice at home and abroad
  • Support food security in Northern and Indigenous communities
  • Reduce food waste

In general, there are a number of activities under the Food Policy that will contribute directly towards meeting the goals and targets of the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy, notably under the Sustainable Food chapter. The Food Policy will also contribute towards achieving Government of Canada commitments for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and associated Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). For example, the Local Food Infrastructure Fund contributes to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 3 (Good Health), and the Food Waste Reduction Challenge contributes to SDG 12 (Sustainable and Responsible Consumption).

Overall, the assessment found that there are likely important positive environmental effects that will result from implementation of the proposed initiatives. Some of the near-term initiatives relate specifically to the enhancement and performance of the agricultural sector, which is intrinsically linked to the environmental sustainability of food production. Sustainable land use and management is imperative for the protection of air, water and soil quality, and for the protection of sensitive species and habitats. Negative effects can be mitigated with existing mechanisms such as municipal, provincial and federal regulations and permitting requirements as well as programming that supports the development and adoption of environmentally beneficial management practices such as nutrient management.

Help Canadian communities access healthy food

Initiatives under this action area can contribute to positive effects on health and socio-economic conditions, as well as a variety of environmental effects. An increased focus on local food production can provide food to communities while reducing long transportation chains, potentially reducing greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, producing more food locally could increase local pressure on natural resources (soil and water). The inclusion of environmental sustainability as one of the long-term objectives of the food policy (sustainable food practices) will help to ensure that environmental effects are taken into account in the development of food-related policies and programs.

Make Canadian food the top choice at home and abroad

Through initiatives under this action area, there may be opportunities to incorporate sustainability objectives through the promotion of Canadian products in key markets. Influencing sector-wide decision making towards environmentally responsible options could have a slight overall positive environmental effect. Additionally, the initiatives could provide market rewards and incentives for enhanced sustainable production, while also raising the bar globally. The positive and negative environmental effects associated with activities related to market access are expected to be minimal, and would be mitigated through existing mechanisms. More generally, investing in Canada’s agricultural sector could allow producers more flexibility in incorporating sustainable practices; for example, innovative technologies that can provide greater efficiencies with inputs such as fertilizer.

Support food security in Northern and Indigenous communities

Actions under this area should be carefully considered and take into account the sensitivity of the land and presence of species. Increasing food production and self-sufficiency in Northern communities can bring many economic, social, health, and environmental benefits, while increased food production can bring some risks to the environment. Communities can incorporate sustainable development principles to mitigate any negative effects.  Any potential negative effects on lands used for traditional purposes that may occur as a result of supporting traditional harvesting activities can be mitigated by community organizations responsible for managing harvesting, using permits, or other processes such as tagging.

Reduce food waste

Most notably, activities centered on this short-term action area are expected to contribute to improving the resource-use efficiency of food production and processing, and to lowering greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing food waste throughout the food value chain can help support the efficiency and profitability of the agricultural and food sectors, reduce the share of Canadian household budgets being spent on food, contribute to food security, and support Canada’s commitments on clean growth and climate change. The environmental benefits realized through reducing avoidable food waste can create combined positive environmental and economic effects, such as reduced pressure on landfill capacity.