Prime Minister Mark Carney has launched Canada’s first-ever National Food Security Strategy, a sweeping plan backed by more than $3 billion in investments over the next decade aimed at strengthening domestic food production, increasing grocery competition, and improving affordability for Canadian families.
The strategy is designed to build a more resilient and self-sufficient food system while reducing reliance on concentrated supply chains and large grocery retailers. The federal government says the initiative will help Canadians access more affordable food while supporting farmers, producers, processors, and independent grocers across the country.
A key pillar of the strategy is increasing competition in the grocery sector. Ottawa will invest $1 billion in food infrastructure, including new food terminals and distribution hubs, allowing independent retailers to access competitively priced products without relying on major grocery chains. The government is also allocating nearly $130 million to strengthen the powers of the Competition Bureau and Competition Tribunal to investigate and address anti-competitive practices.
To boost domestic food production, the government will establish a new $1 billion Agri-food Project Finance Fund through Farm Credit Canada to help businesses expand food processing capacity. An additional $150 million Food Security Fund will assist small and medium-sized enterprises in upgrading equipment, while a $100 million Collaborative Food Innovation Fund will support the expansion of agri-food processing across Canada.
The strategy also includes a $750 million investment to expand year-round fruit and vegetable production through greenhouses, vertical farming operations, and other controlled-environment agriculture facilities.
Ottawa says it will further streamline regulations across the agricultural supply chain by accelerating approvals for seeds, fertilizers, animal feed, and veterinary products while reducing administrative burdens on farmers and food producers. The government also plans to make it easier for provincially licensed food products to be sold across provincial and territorial borders.
“A country’s sovereignty depends on its ability to feed itself, fuel itself, and defend itself,” Carney said, describing the strategy as a major step toward building a stronger, more resilient, and more affordable food system for Canadians.
