By Samantha McLeod
SeaWestNews

That evolution, and its profound impact on every corner of Canadian life, is the driving force behind a new national campaign launched this week. Canada’s Food System: Our Food. Our Future is a powerful call to action, inviting Canadians to recognize and celebrate the food system as a source of sustenance and as a foundation of our national identity, innovation, and resilience.

“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), the organisation spearheading the campaign.

According to Keith Currie, President of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, the numbers paint a compelling picture.

“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. 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.”

But beyond the stats is an even more profound message, one of connectivity. From the hands that sow the seeds to the systems that transport food across the country, the Canadian food system braids together communities, languages, and landscapes.

As Jean-Marc Ruest of Richardson International puts it plainly.

“Canada’s food system is more than the sum of its parts. It’s a national strength that cuts across geography, language, and economy. 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.”

At the heart of this campaign is a promise, a pledge, open to all Canadians, to stand behind those who “grow, raise, catch, make, and move our food every day.” It’s a gesture of gratitude and a commitment to stewardship.

Mia Parker of Mowi Canada West reinforces this sentiment, emphasizing the forward-thinking nature of the industry.

“Ours is one of the most innovative sectors in the country. 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.”

Still, innovation alone isn’t enough. Trust must also be cultivated. That’s why this campaign leans heavily on transparency and education to bridge the growing gap between consumers and the realities of food production.

“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,” says Timothy Kennedy, President & CEO of the Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance (CAIA).

He points to a concerning trend:

“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. A cross-sector education and public engagement campaign is important to reconnect 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 campaign flows from a deeper place of purpose that is grounded in trust, progress, and shared pride.

As Lisa Bishop-Spencer, Executive Director at CCFI, states strongly.

“This is a story we can all share. It’s about trust, progress, and pride in what we grow, create, and contribute together.”

Canada’s Food System: Our Food. Our Future marks one of the most vital initiatives of our time, uniting voices from across the food system in a shared commitment to insight, innovation, and sustainability.

To learn more or sign the pledge, visit: www.canadasfoodsystem.ca