Canada’s recently unveiled National Food Security Strategy has drawn criticism from advocates who argue it fails to adequately address the underlying causes of food insecurity affecting millions of Canadians. While the federal government acknowledges challenges related to climate change, supply chain disruptions, food processing, and agricultural production, experts say the strategy overlooks the principal factor driving food insecurity: insufficient household incomes.

Food insecurity, characterized by the inability to consistently afford sufficient, nutritious food, affects nearly 10 million Canadians, including approximately one-third of children. Despite Canada’s status as a major food producer, many households face persistent anxiety about affording groceries and basic necessities. Critics contend that the strategy’s focus on food system improvements alone will have limited impact unless it also incorporates measures to boost income security.

Advocates from organizations such as Right To Food urge the government to engage more closely with the non-profit sector to develop a comprehensive response. They emphasize that evidence accumulated over decades demonstrates a direct correlation between higher incomes and reduced food insecurity. Programs like the Canada Child Benefit and the Guaranteed Income Supplement have shown effectiveness in lowering poverty and improving food access when incomes increase. Conversely, rising living costs that outpace income growth exacerbate food insecurity.

Although the National Food Security Strategy acknowledges Indigenous food sovereignty, critics note that it lacks concrete investments or measurable targets aimed at supporting Indigenous-led food systems or significantly reducing household food insecurity. Moreover, no new income security initiatives are outlined within the strategy, leading to concerns that those struggling most will see minimal benefit.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, emergency income supports temporarily alleviated some food insecurity, suggesting that financial assistance can play a critical role. Advocates argue that addressing affordability through income enhancements should be a central component of any effective food security policy, rather than a secondary consideration to food production and system resilience.

The federal government has an opportunity to revise and strengthen the strategy by incorporating income-based solutions, which non-profit groups believe are essential to tackling Canada’s affordability crisis. As household budgets remain tight amid high grocery prices and cost-of-living increases, experts warn that without targeted income support measures, food insecurity will persist regardless of investments in food system infrastructure and production capacity.

In a wealthy nation like Canada, reducing food insecurity will require political commitments to prioritize income adequacy alongside efforts to maintain sustainable and secure food systems. Advocates call on the government to use the strategy’s implementation phase to collaborate with stakeholders and develop actionable, evidence-based policies that ensure no Canadian must choose between paying rent and buying groceries.