THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY
EVIDENCE
OTTAWA, Thursday, May 16, 2019
The Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry, to which was referred Bill C-281, An Act to establish a National Local Food Day, met this day at 8 a.m. to give consideration to the bill.
Senator Diane F. Griffin (Chair) in the chair.
[English]
The Chair: I am Senator Diane Griffin from Prince Edward Island and chair of the committee.
Today, the committee will be studying Bill C-281, An Act to establish a National Local Food Day. The purpose of this bill will be to designate the Friday before Thanksgiving Day on each and every year as national local food day. Before we hear from the witnesses — we have three panels, by the way — I would like to start by asking the senators to introduce themselves.
[Translation]
Senator Dagenais: Jean-Guy Dagenais from Quebec.
[English]
Senator Oh: Victor Oh, Ontario.
[Translation]
Senator Cormier: René Cormier from New Brunswick.
[English]
Senator C. Deacon: Colin Deacon, Nova Scotia.
Senator Kutcher: Stan Kutcher, Nova Scotia.
Senator R. Black: Robert Black, Ontario.
The Chair: Our first witness is the sponsor of the bill, Wayne Stetski, MP, Kootenay—Columbia. Thank you for accepting our invitation to appear today.
The floor is yours to make your presentation and to answer our questions.
Wayne Stetski, M.P., Kootenay—Columbia, Sponsor of the bill: I want to start by sincerely thanking all senators for being here today. I know how busy you are. I very much appreciate your time.
I am pleased to speak to my private member’s Bill C-281, which would designate the Friday before Thanksgiving as national local food day.
I said many times that food is at the heart of our culture, our economy and our communities. I know this is true from touring the vibrant farmers’ markets in my riding of Kootenay—Columbia and from hearing members of Parliament of all parties who spoke in favour of the bill.
I am very proud that Bill C-281 passed unanimously in the House of Commons and received support from producers, organizations and individuals across Canada. I believe this is because national local food day is a day that everyone can get behind.
National local food day would give us the chance to recognize and support the people whose hard work puts food on our tables every day. It would celebrate farmers, fishers, hunters, foragers, vintners, brewers, artisans and others who make local food movement possible.
National local food day would also provide the opportunity to promote the environmental benefits of eating locally and reflecting on the challenges many Canadians face in accessing healthy, affordable food close to home.
I envision national local food day as one with endless possibilities for communities and Canadians to celebrate as they see fit. Students taking a field trip to a local farm, families picking pumpkins together and couples escaping to a winery. The common thread is fostering connections between producers and consumers, so all Canadians understand and appreciate where their food is coming from.
We must place particular focus on fostering these connections with younger generations. The average age of a farmer in Canada is 55 years old, and 92 per cent of farms lack a succession plan. We need children to be interested in learning about careers in agriculture to sustain the industry.
Fortunately, there are many great educational initiatives in Canada like agriculture in the classroom, which teaches students from preschool to university important lessons on how their food is grown, choosing agriculture as a career and healthy eating.
Obesity rates among children and youth have nearly tripled in Canada over the last 30 years. Food literacy is the key part of reversing this trend. Canada’s new food guide is supportive of school and community-based programs that teach children and youth skills like how to grow, harvest, store and prepare food.
While much of the growing season takes place while students are out of school, they are back in class by the fall harvest. Designating the Friday before Thanksgiving as national local food day would provide all teachers an opportunity to incorporate local food into their lessons plans that day.
This would amplify the work of the great agriculture and food literacy programs operating across the country. Indeed, that dates around Thanksgiving also align with National Farm to School Month in October. Little Green Thumbs and Agriculture in the Classroom Canada have both expressed support for Bill C-281.
In a letter sent to this committee, Agriculture in the Classroom wrote:
With schools back in session and the trees changing colour, thousands begin their harvest and we prepare to give thanks for the abundant food we’re fortunate to enjoy in Canada. Positioning this National Local Food Day just ahead of such a meaningful weekend will certainly help schools, organizations and participants alike to get the most out of this national day.
As this letter highlights, celebrating national local food day in October makes sense because it coincides with the fall harvest. The date was also selected with the objective of encouraging people to shop locally for Thanksgiving when they were cooking for family and friends.
In the house debates, the member for Red Deer—Mountain View, a multi-generational farmer said:
I find it fitting that my colleagues strategically aligned this national food day after the year’s bountiful harvest and close to our Thanksgiving holiday when Canadians take time away from work and come home to reflect on everything that has made them thankful. This would be great to support our industry.
There were 18 speakers on my bill in the House of Commons. Some members also noted a national local food day could provide a boost to the agri-tourism sector. The fall shoulder season can see slow tourist activity, so October is a strategic time to encourage people to visit local food destinations.
I believe the Friday before Thanksgiving is a fitting date to give thanks to our local producers on national local food day. Of course, there are many great events that celebrate food throughout the year, and it is my intent that Bill C-281 would amplify those initiatives. The more opportunities to celebrate local food in Canada the better.
Bill C-281 is not just about food. It’s about creating a day for all Canadians to build a community. I hope to hear the many ways Canadians celebrate national local food day this fall following passage of this important bill.
I thank you for having me here today and look forward to answering your questions.
Senator C. Deacon: Thank you for being here, Mr. Stetski.
I am a start-up entrepreneur. I appreciate how hard it is to get traction on any idea. It’s a challenge to turn something from an idea to something everybody is moving with you on. You put forward an important statement, namely, that the values outlined are already strong.
Have you spent time investigating other initiatives that were already trying to achieve the same end? Did you speak to those different groups as you were pulling this together, those already active in the space?
Mr. Stetski: When we put forward the bill, we sent it out across Canada to get responses from organizations. We heard back from 19 different national organizations across the country, all in favour of the bill.
We received a letter of concern from Food Day Canada that celebrates on the long weekend in August. We went to their website to learn more about Food Day Canada. First, we saw that it was set up as the world’s longest barbecue, which is a great idea and a great concept. I am happy to celebrate that. When we looked at other aspects of Food Day Canada, we noticed that it was trademarked. We want to see food celebrated across Canada without any conditions attached. The fact that it was trademarked, quite frankly, gave me a bit of concern. I didn’t think we should have to ask permission to celebrate local food in Canada.
Second, we looked at the membership of Food Day Canada and it was primarily high-end restaurants. That’s great. Anita Stewart and I met briefly in a restaurant in Invermere a number of years ago. We also received support from national food-related organizations. I sent a copy of a letter to all the senators listing those 19 organizations some time ago. None of the organizations, including Restaurants Canada, had any mention of Food Day Canada.
My thinking was that these national organizations, having been around and involved in food for a long time, did not see a conflict or competition between the concept of Food Day Canada and having national local food day. I continue to believe that. The intent of this bill was to celebrate all of the celebrations that go on across Canada. I celebrate every one of them, actually, every opportunity I get.
We looked at that. Ms. Stewart sent us an email, to which we sent a response. This is where it gets a little grey. I am still not sure whether or not she received that email. I am sure she can speak to that today as she is here as a witness. A month ago we resent that email to her, which basically outlined that we did not see this as being competitive but as being complementary. Her event is a great event. I will certainly continue to support it and encourage people to celebrate it.
That was it. That was the only concern expressed by all of these national organizations across Canada. We heard from many people who sent in post cards, letters, et cetera. Everyone wants to celebrate food. They want every opportunity to celebrate food. Quite frankly, they were all extremely supportive.
I come back right to the beginning. I did not consider this as competitive. I consider this as complementary, expanding it to a fall opportunity to include it in classrooms. I attended 11 farmers’ markets around my riding last summer. I had teachers who came up to me and said that they were really excited about the day. It’s in the fall, and it gives them an opportunity to teach the kids in their classrooms about local food.
We certainly looked at it. Even today I still believe we are complementary. I congratulate Ms. Stewart on the great work she has done around Canada and local food, but I do see these as being complementary and not as being competitive.
Senator C. Deacon: Thank you.
[Translation]
Senator Dagenais: Thank you for your presentation, Mr. Stetski. I have a few questions for you. First, you mentioned that the National Local Food Day would take place on a Friday. Have you thought about a set date or a specific day? For example, we could propose a Sunday, which could lead to a family activity. On Friday, parents are not necessarily off work. If that day was on a Sunday, it may be an excellent opportunity to turn it into a family activity.
[English]
Mr. Stetski: The concept was that most of us go out to buy our food on Friday to get ready for Sunday. This is meant to encourage people, when thinking about their Thanksgiving dinner, to go out and buy locally along the way.
It’s a floating day. It’s the Friday before Thanksgiving, which would move with the calendar. This is celebratory in nature. You can learn about it in the classroom again on Friday before kids go home for the Thanksgiving dinner. Teachers can put a lesson plan together about local food.
Local food is important to our economy. A farmer’s market in Cranbrook started about five years ago. Cranbrook has a population of 20,000 people. That farmer’s market is worth over $1 million a year to our local producers. It is still up and running in October.
We wanted the opportunity to buy local food on the Friday and really celebrate and eat it on the Sunday.
[Translation]
Senator Dagenais: There are already days such as Food Day Canada and Canada’s Agriculture Day. I assume this day will be different from others. Do you want that day to be free from sponsorship?
[English]
Mr. Stetski: Yes, this is not intended to have any commercial aspect to it at all. Again, I don’t think that Canadians should have to ask permission to celebrate local food. This is a day that everybody can celebrate. You can go out with your kids and pick pumpkins. You can go out and celebrate whatever is the local harvest.
When we first picked the date, another thing I liked about it was that I got this feeling of being full because harvest was in for the most part. There may be some farmers on the Prairies still trying to get their crops in, but for the most part all vegetable crops are in.
We also looked at it was hunting season. It doesn’t get any more local for food than hunting season. That was also an important part of it for me. I used to be the regional manager with Ministry of Environment for Southeastern Kootenays. Hunting season started on September 10, so it is an opportunity to support hunting as well.
It was broad in nature. Everybody can find a reason to celebrate local food object the Friday before Thanksgiving.
[Translation]
Senator Dagenais: Thank you, Mr. Stetski.
[English]
Senator Oh: Welcome. I have a local farmer’s market right in front of my house. Every summer I go over and talk to the farmers to see how they are doing. It’s nice to see an abundance of local food on display every Sunday.
Should any of the activities related to national local food day be part of the activities of the Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food? Should you be working with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada?
Mr. Stetski: We will see where this goes, but it was not meant to be a government initiative as such. It was meant to be a community initiative. There may be ways going forward where we can look at Agriculture Canada providing educational materials, absolutely. There may be ways going forward where we can look at Agriculture Canada providing educational materials, absolutely.
It was so exciting to have my bill moving through the House of Commons. I know it is hard to believe that we don’t always get along in the House of Commons, but every member of Parliament from every party supported this bill. They all love to talk about all of their local farmers’ markets and local producers. They are very excited and very proud of the local food in their ridings.
In terms of speaking, they all wanted to talk about local celebrations. There were 18 speeches in all. There was a lineup of people wanting to speak in favour of the bill: eight Liberals, five Conservatives and five NDP. Every one of them wanted to do as you did, Senator Oh, and that is celebrate what happens in their backyards. It was very exciting for me and very unusual for a private member’s bill to make it through the House of Commons with 100 per cent support at every level to celebrate their local farmers’ markets.
Senator R. Black: You talked about the complementarity of the national local food day and other celebrations that take place.
What do you tell stakeholders in the agricultural industry who think it would be beneficial to combine the national local food day with Food Day Canada so as to make a broader beacon for agriculture and agri-food in Canada?
It could be a bigger celebration with folk at the height of the harvest season in the summer and organizations putting out the resources that could be combined and saved. How do we talk to them about this point?
Mr. Stetski: When we looked at the date we wanted to make sure we were not taking away from any of the days currently being celebrated across Canada.
There are many celebrations across Canada. Last night was A Taste of the Arctic at the National Arts Centre. Ontario has its Local Food Act which established Local Food Week in June. Open Farm Days has been going on for over 10 years. Fall Flavours takes place on Prince Edward Island; Roots, Rants and Roars celebrates Newfoundland’s food; and Quebec City promotes its regional restaurants and food.
In essence, I did not want to overlay a day that takes away from their celebrations. We wanted to make sure that it was not competitive, that it was complementary, that we celebrated local food across the country, and that we did not confuse people about the same kinds of celebrations on the same day. Of course, later on into October there is World Food Day as well.
Senator Bernard: Mr. Stetski, a recent article in the Creston Valley Advance, stated that establishing national local food day would raise awareness about challenges faced by Canadians in accessing healthy and affordable local foods.
Could you tell us what barriers exist to accessing healthy and affordable food and how establishing national local food day would help address those challenges?
Mr. Stetski: As we all know, many people are not accessing food appropriately in Canada. Quite frankly, there are many people struggling across the country. National local food day could encourage food banks, for example, to provide local food. Some farmers’ markets, some restaurants and major grocery chains do that. A lot of people want to make Thanksgiving dinner a special dinner, so having a national local food day on the Friday day before will hopefully encourage people to contribute to and work with local food banks.
In the big picture we need to tell people about hunger and challenges being faced by many Canadians. We need to find better ways to do it better with healthy, local food. In the end there is nothing better than local food. It’s good for the environment. You are not increasing GHGs by bringing it from another country. You know where your food is coming from. Many producers and farmers are happy to contribute to food banks and to help alleviate hunger.
Thanksgiving is one of the times of the year most focused on food. Anything we can do to help everybody who needs food to fill that need is worthwhile. By focusing on the Friday before Thanksgiving and on the needs and hunger, hopefully will be helpful to those people as well.
Senator Moodie: Many see local foods as having important social, cultural and economic benefits. We know that $50 million in funding has been allocated for the national food policy in budget 2019. This money was designated for community-driven local food infrastructure.
How do you see the national local food initiative aligning with these funds? More important, how can we work to aim for food security using this idea?
Mr. Stetski: The more often we can shine a spotlight on local food across Canada, the better. There is a natural mixing or blending between celebrating local food in this manner, healthy food in general, and the food guide.
A lot of changes are going on with the food guide. The good news is that a lot of it is focused on local healthy food grown by our producers and our marketers. There is a direct link in that sense.
For me, the opportunity to shine a spotlight on local food across Canada and encourage people to buy locally and eating healthy helps our economy and tourism. Food is also a social part of our lives. The more celebrations and the more focus we can get on local food across our country, the healthier our economy will be, the healthier we will be and the healthier our community relationships.
It’s an opportunity to celebrate some of the things in the food guide and to point out some of the needs that are still not being met nationally.
Senator Cormier: In your speech, Mr. Stetski, you say that national local food day could provide a boost to our agri-tourism sector. Did you have a chance to speak with entrepreneurs?
We know that in the fall there is the fishing industry. There are fine products produced by young entrepreneurs. Did you speak with those people? What could be the impact of that day on these businesses?
Mr. Stetski: I have had an interest in tourism for many years. I was a visitor services manager with provincial parks many years ago. One of the challenges we saw was that the summer was busy for tourism in general and that the challenges became the spring and fall seasons. From a tourism perspective, we were always looking for opportunities to try and boost those seasons.
When I was in farmers’ markets in my riding last summer, I heard from many people involved in different aspects of the food industry. A number of them pointed out that this might encourage agri-tourism in the fall. We need to try to focus on that issue in many different ways. The more activities and focus we can get in the spring and fall seasons, the better it will be for tourism because summer is already chockablock.
The Chair: Mr. Stetski, thank you for making your presentation here today in support of your bill.
For our second panel, we have Anita Stewart, Food Laureate, Ontario Agricultural College, University Guelph, and Michael Smith, chef and owner of The Inn at Bay Fortune, who is with us via video conference from the Charlottetown Research and Development Centre.
Anita Stewart, Food Laureate, Ontario Agricultural College, University of Guelph, as an individual: I really appreciate being here. We have a chance to do something really great for Canada today.
Food Day Canada’s goal is to ensure, for at least one day of the year, that it is impossible for any Canadian consumer anywhere to ignore the culinary and agricultural talent that is part of our collective story.
We would welcome an amendment to the date of Bill C-281 so that the celebration can remain inclusive. In the meantime, we are doing it. This is not a concept. From researchers to farmers and from home cooks to historians, Canadians have understood that their food and food traditions can stand on any world stage. Canadian-grown ingredients are the finest on the planet.
Food Day Canada is free. It is open to all Canadians. There is no fee to participate.
All of Canada is welcome. When the borders were closed in 2003 to beef exports, whole communities were devastated. It was an agricultural disaster but it was absolutely not a culinary one.
What is the duty of a citizen? It is not to mind your own business. We named it the world’s longest barbecue. My call to action at that time was to grill Canadian beef, no matter where you were on the planet, at six o’clock on Saturday of the August long weekend. “Send me your stories,” I said, and the stories came in. Canadians responded and barbecued Canadian beef with wild abandon. It began as the day dawned in Korea and it ended as the sun set in Victoria, B.C.
Before the Internet my inbox exploded. The archives are full of the names of people you will recognize: Carolyn Bennett, Michael Chong, Murray Calder and Don Oliver. I particularly like this post from Galahad, Alberta:
Hope many Canadians will take part in the world’s longest barbecue. . . . Great idea. As I say to my southern counterparts, . . . look at the map. Canada, we’re bigger and we’re on top. Giddy up!
It was the same in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008. In 2004, I had 86 pages of size 10 font from Canadians all around the world. As a seasoned journalist, I hold up my research mirror to our nation. This is all I do. Something was happening. Canadians everywhere were celebrating with local food everywhere. Whether or not I named it, Saturday of the August long weekend was and is Canada’s local food day.
I did not pick it out of the air. I did not pretend that Canada needs another day to celebrate local food. No private or public individual can reimagine our culinary reality to his or her liking, especially with no infrastructure or plan in place. No policy group can change Canada’s seasons, no matter how much they would like to. No bill can change or simply ignore frost dates. In 2018, you will remember that Calgary had 32.8 centimetres of snow.
Food Day Canada crosses party and geographic lines. Minister Gerry Ritz was the first to endorse it after we and some of our chefs, including Michael Smith, promoted Canadian ingredients at the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver and then later at the Calgary Stampede.
As the Internet evolved, so did Food Day Canada. Websites were built largely by volunteers. I trademarked it; yes, I trademarked it specifically so that we could continue to actively promote the growth and celebration of our distinctly Canadian food culture. I live in a world where IP is easily lifted.
I’ve been criticized for protecting our local food producers from local washing. Trademarking local food can’t be done. I know that. I have provided expert opinion in Toronto on the subject of a hearing several years ago, but trademarking Food Day Canada is a way that we as Canadian culinary nationalists can ensure that no international conglomerate, or even one of our own, can abscond with the idea and turn it inside out to suit themselves.
Our local is shared far and wide with anyone who commits to one thing: to serve forth the ingredients from here in a spirit of inclusion and celebration.
On commodity involvement, Mr. Stetski has been quoted as saying that there was none and at another time, and in fact today, that Food Day Canada was relatively elitist. Tell that to Canada Beef. When Pulse Canada and the Saskatchewan pulse growers collaborated, we promoted lentils for two years running, sharing their amazing Canadian story. The Love Your Lentils winner, created by a Food Day Canada chef, was a burger from Chelsea, Quebec, that you can now buy in Sobeys. I don’t think that’s elitist.
Food Day Canada holds innovation awards. What are the criteria? Canadian content. The winning chefs are lauded and honoured as Canada’s brand advocates. They are also mentored. In 2015, we began taking them down to James Beard House in New York City. It is the home of U.S. gastronomy. It is the heartbeat of what is happening in the U.S. food industry. Next week, I take 12 chefs.
The stories are rooted in our land, whether it is cod in Newfoundland, a bison from Kelowna, Yukon Gold potatoes, Ontario craft beers or VQA wines. The founder, by the way, wrote a letter of support. We are promoting Canada for all we are worth at every turn, whether it is a long lunch in Saskatoon or on board an Adventure Canada ship full of tourists encircling Newfoundland.
In 2017, we published a list of 150 all-Canadian ingredients. The first one was water. To me, that’s extraordinarily important. The list is live. It’s real. Anyone can access it. All our recipes and all our pride-filled stories are downloadable are printable. Go for it.
In 2018, we lit the CN Tower and in trending at No. 1 across the nation, we beat out LeBron James and Barack Obama. This year we are illuminating all of Canada, from Newfoundland to Victoria, in celebration of our food and food ways. We already have broadcast time booked across the country. Once again we are putting Canada on the map. We are putting Canada on the world’s menu.
Michael Smith, Chef and Owner, The Inn at Bay Fortune, as an individual: Good morning and greetings from Prince Edward Island. My apologies that I couldn’t join you in Ottawa today. The season is beginning here, and my restaurant opens this evening as a matter of fact. I am tremendously honoured to be here with you vicariously. It is a real honour as a Canadian to speak to each and every one of you.
The issue here today is not one of supporting local food. We are wasting too much time is stating why we support local food. We all support local food. It is what Canada is good at. It is what we have been doing forever. It is Canada.
The issue here is a political stunt. I am afraid that it falls to me to state the obvious. Mr. Stetski has a good idea: Yes, let’s celebrate local food. Unfortunately, he didn’t do his homework. I am glad to hear that he remembers Anita Stewart, but he has spent two years now ignoring all of what has already happened in Canada for the last 15 years.
The fact is that we already have all of these things. It is a very real issue. To try and schedule a celebration of local food in October does not make sense, especially the Friday of Thanksgiving weekend when every family, every aspect of our culture across the country, is already celebrating local food. That’s what we do.
It is particularly galling to me and to a massive community of people. We are not an elitist community. We resent the way we’ve been described by Mr. Stetski. He is clearly flailing around, looking to reframe his argument. In the beginning when this started, he did not do his homework. Now you are hearing all kinds of revisionist history.
The simple fact is that we are already doing this. We object to the appropriation. We object to the ignorance. We object to the fact that he will not talk to us and will not look at this very simple solution. Put the holiday in the middle of the summer where it belongs and where it already is. Everybody that makes food, everybody that harvests food, everybody that hunts and fishes food, every single facet of our food industry is doing it in August.
This is not necessary to build tourism. We do not need spring and fall tourism events. Every group in the country has been doing this for 25 years already. Fall Flavours is a massive success for that very reason. The country is full of examples of this. Declaring a national local food day in October will not all of a sudden create all kinds of off-season tourism opportunities. We are already doing the work.
Forgive my strident tone. This means a lot to me and to a lot of other people in this country. We object to the way a political stunt has taken the celebration of Canadian food and ignored what we are already doing.
The fact is, please, it is as simple as this: We don’t care about the political credit. If Mr. Stetski would like to be the person who declared national local food day, fine. Just make it in August. His lack of planning of what is going to happen the day after it is declared is a non-issue. We are already doing the work.
Frankly, we don’t care what the name of it is a. We don’t care who gets the political credit because we are already doing the work. Make the holiday in August, and all these problems go away. We keep trucking along with our food laureate at our helm. Of course, Anita Stewart’s credentials are unimpeachable. She is our national food laureate. She literally wrote the book. Food Day Canada is not elitist. It is not something you have to pay to participate in. It is for all of us. Again, the fact is that it already is. We are already doing this.
Ladies and gentlemen, I appreciate the opportunity to take a few minutes of your very valuable day to hear what I and many other chefs and food industry people across Canada already know.
The Chair: Speaking of writing the book, by the way, I have copies of both your cookbooks in my kitchen.
Senator C. Deacon: Thank you, Chef Michael Smith. I always enjoy The Village Feast in Souris. That has been a great event through the years as well.
I ask both of you to speak to the importance of integrating this through the value chain, so that it is not just about local food but it is about trying to demonstrate the importance of the value chain. Certainly that is what I am hearing is the core of this attraction that has been achieved over the last 25 years. Could you speak to that for me?
Mr. Smith: Again I would be happy to point out that we already have momentum. From Agriculture Canada and on down, from commodity groups across the country, everybody is already engaged with this because food is Canada. It is our very lifeblood. It is part of who we are culturally. Many of us get up in the morning, go to work and get our hands dirty every day making food. We should have every facet of industry represented, and we already do.
Again, that’s my objection. We are already doing this. I don’t want to see it diluted. In October, as Ms. Stewart pointed out, there is snow on the ground in half the country. Maybe someone is going hunting. Big deal. The crop is already in across the country. It is not a time to celebrate food.
The time to do is in the summer when everybody is in full-blown production. It is important to bring in every possible commodity group, and we’ve already done that. Everybody is part of Food Day Canada already.
The Chair: Ms. Stewart, do you have any comments?
Senator C. Deacon: Specifically about the groups within the value chain that you have brought into this and the importance of that.
Ms. Stewart: They come in on their own or I invite them. I send them my logos and they use them. Whether its Farm Food Care on Prince Edward Island or in Saskatchewan, whether it is the Canadian Centre for Food Integrity, whether it is the University of Guelph, or whether it is the farmers or fishers, they can do it. I have to say that I am a bit careful as to what are their own values so that they align with ours.
You can go on my website and see restaurants from a tugboat in Port Alberni to Craig Flinn’s restaurant in Halifax or to Michael’s. You will see that the menus there, from last year in some cases, and they will be there. They are always part of actively promoting the growth and celebration of our distinctly Canadian food culture.
Senator R. Black: Ms. Stewart, I want to first congratulate you on the success of Food Day Canada. I was not part of the 2003 longest barbecue but I was in the area. Thanks for that. You were remiss in sharing with us that you received the Order of Canada, in particular, as a result of your work with Food Day Canada. Congratulations on that.
If national local food day were to be the same day as Food Day Canada, how could what is currently happening on the Saturday in August be expanded and enhanced? What do you see?
Ms. Stewart: First of all, as it stands now, Food Day Canada is the only such day in any country on earth. To have it blessed by the Government of Canada would be just extraordinary. It would be wonderful.
I suppose, at the end of the day, my goal with this is to make sure that the government itself understands what they have in their hands already. The sky is the limit. The sky is absolutely the limit.
Senator R. Black: Mr. Smith, do you have anything to add?
Mr. Smith: Thank you for reconsidering this. Again, it is as simple as just changing this date so that we can keep doing what we are already doing. It is a massive celebration touching so many Canadians in such a profound way that it just boggles my mind it could be hijacked by a political stunt.
Senator Kutcher: Chef Smith, I can’t get a reservation at your restaurant. This is not a request; just a comment.
The Chair: Book early and book often.
Mr. Smith: Could you state your name again?
Senator Kutcher: All kidding aside, in one of the arguments we heard from the previous witness he was suggesting that this was simply another way of celebrating food. He said that it would be another day, not a competitive construct but a more celebratory construct.
I looked at how many food days there were in the various months. I want to share some of them with the group. In August I found 41, which included National Raspberry Cream Pie Day, Ice Cream School Day, National Oyster Day, National Zucchini Day, National Vanilla Custard Day, National Cherry Popsicle Day and, one of my favourites, National Whiskey Sour Day.
October already has more with 45: National Taco Day, National Boston Cream Day and, you will like this, National Bologna Day.
Senator C. Deacon: Is that in Newfoundland?
Senator Kutcher: We used to call it CNR steak when I worked on a railway gang. Another of my favourites is National Greasy Foods Day, also in October.
Is this a bit of a tempest in a teapot? There seem to be a lot of different food days every month. What’s wrong with having another one and making it 46 instead of 45 in October?
Mr. Smith: It’s certainly one way of looking at it. I am more curious when National Bacon Day is. Sometimes innocent actions can have profound consequences. It is the ignorance of the existing momentum that has created the problem today. It is the lack of a plan next morning. Declare the day, fine, but then what happens? It disappears like Raspberry Cream Pie Day because there is no plan.
We are suggesting that we already have momentum. Just move the day. Put the imprimatur on the day that already exists. It’s a win-win for everybody. We keep our momentum, and we continue celebrating the best darn country on the planet.
Senator Oh: It is nice to know that everybody is promoting Canadian food all over. Is this also celebrated overseas in some of our consulate offices or embassies across the world?
It came to my mind. I thought I saw some kind of poster or I was invited when travelling overseas to a consulate or embassy.
Ms. Stewart: I do not know that it is, but it should be, absolutely. If a call to action goes out to Canadians around the world, I know they would get involved. It was surprising to me when, in 2003, a fellow from Korea sent me a picture of a Canadian beef poster on the bumper of his car. This was great. I believe he was a student in Korea. He had frozen some beef and that’s what he barbecued. We could do it. Again, with your support, we could absolutely do it.
Senator Oh: Where is the biggest focus point? Is it in Toronto, Vancouver or somewhere else?
Ms. Stewart: This year, Food Day Canada will be literally across the country. If you call it the party at the base of the CN Tower this year, that’s probably pretty big.
It is all across the nation. It is interesting to define Canadian cuisine. When somebody hashtags Food Day Canada, we aggregate them and they are posted on our website under “a day in the life of.” We do things like Instagram takeovers. Restaurants across the country can tell me exactly what is happening in the back shops of their restaurants. The public can also do that. If somebody is barbecuing something or having a party in their backyard or wherever, they can take a picture, an Instagram, a Twitter post or a Facebook, and I aggregate it. No longer is the question, “Oh, what is Canadian food?” I can say that’s Canadian food right there.
Senator Bernard: My best short question will be around food insecurity. It is the same question I actually asked the former witness.
Does Food Day Canada have any initiatives to address challenges and barriers that Canadians face in accessing healthy and affordable food?
Ms. Stewart: No. The goal of Food Day Canada is to support and appreciate our producers and farmers and to keep our local food supply secure. The more we celebrate it, the more secure it will be. In terms of activities, we do not go out or do things to feed people, no, but Nick Sauldoes and Nick Saul knows me. We’ve had interactions with the local community food centre in Stratford that did a large party two years ago.
Thank you for your question. It is important.
[Translation]
Senator Dagenais: Thank you, Ms. Stewart. I think that actions in terms of food should focus more on our young people, so they can discover it better. Should we not rather hold a day for food education instead of this day as proposed?
[English]
Ms. Stewart: I agree. Actually, I think that’s brilliant. That was one of the notes I wrote down. A local food education day would be absolutely fabulous. I would support that 100 per cent.
[Translation]
Senator Dagenais: Concerning food education, I was referring to the small buffets served to us. That’s just a comment.
[English]
The Chair: I second that motion.
Senator Dagenais: I’m not serious. It’s just a comment.
The Chair: Mr. Smith, do you want to say anything in regard to that, or has it all been said?
Mr. Smith: I would gladly point out that we have all kinds of grassroots food education initiatives happening coast to coast to coast right now, some of them with years and years of traction.
What is missing from this conversation is fed policy. Education about food and nutrition tends to happen at the grassroots level, at the city and provincial level. Having said that, at the fed level we made a huge move forward with the world’s best food guide. Canada’s Food Guide is winning right now. That will start to percolate even further.
Senator Moodie: My question is around the whole concept. You made the links to the economic benefit, to the value chain and to the industry. There is also a role for local food, social and cultural aspects, which focus particularly on Canadians of diverse backgrounds, women, Indigenous peoples, immigrants and refugees.
My concern is that I am not hearing in your presentation how you relate to that aspect or what objection you have to a local food day that shifts the focus away from industry and more toward the cultural benefits, cultural preservation of food, cultural sovereignty around food and food security.
Ms. Stewart: Food Day Canada is about culinary sovereignty. The more we support our farmers and the people providing our foodstuffs, the better. We’ve done it for years, but I agree with you. Food Day Canada is open to everyone.
I didn’t invent it. It happened. It is happening. Anyone and everyone who is in a farmer’s market, whether farmers’ markets in Nova Scotia, which are on board, or farmers’ markets in Ontario, which will be on board this year, can take part.
Again, the goal is to be as absolutely as inclusive as possible so we can work together to make Canada a stronger nation. Canada is food and the world is richer for it.
Mr. Smith: One of the dominant components of our cuisine is simply the ethnic components from around the world, the wonderful and harmonious blend of various ethnic influences from around the globe. Much of that is already represented in Food Day Canada.
If you look closely at the list of chefs, restaurants, events, community groups and organizations holding events across the country on this day, many of them are clearly recent immigrant groups with culinary identities that are part of the overall Canadian cuisine. It is already happening because it is who we already are.
The Chair: You were a great panel. I am sorry I had to rush you and to rush the senators in asking their questions, but I think we got a lot of information out. I thank the panellists, and best wishes this evening, Mr. Smith, in opening the restaurant for the season.
Senators, we have our third panel of the morning. For this panel we have with us from Food Secure Canada, Gisèle Yasmeen, Executive Director, and from the National Farmers Union, Stuart Oke, Youth President.
Gisèle Yasmeen, Executive Director, Food Secure Canada: I am the new Executive Director of Food Secure Canada, a national alliance of organizations and individuals committed to achieving three goals: zero hunger, healthy and safe food, and a sustainable food system for all Canadians.
Over the past decade, we have spoken directly with thousands of Canadians in all regions of the country about their vision for food policy. As part of that work, we are delighted to support Bill C-281, An Act to establish national local food day.
I would like to take five minutes to touch on the social, cultural, environmental, political and economic importance of local food. Activities at the local level in the Canadian food movement are one of the most exciting developments this country has seen over the past 20 years. They range from horticulture production through food processing and distribution activities, including innovative retailing and food service activities from coast to coast to coast. There is also an active citizen and consumer movement at the grassroots level very much driving this change. Food Secure Canada is proud to be a network of networks with hundreds of supporters, members and partners.
Local food has important social and cultural aspects with associated economic benefits. For example, small scale and local area food production and value-added activities can provide valuable livelihoods for Canadians of diverse backgrounds, including women, Indigenous peoples, immigrants and refugees. Local food is also increasingly playing a role in institutional food procurement such as that provided by hospitals, schools and universities. There is potential to go much further.
Food Secure Canada’s Jennifer Reynolds described local food in a 2017 article written for food service buyers. It has the overall benefit of reducing food miles. It generally has a lighter environmental footprint and is fresher. It is more flavourful food, eaten more seasonally, supports local economies and entrepreneurs, and is transparent in knowing where food comes from.
From a cultural preservation standpoint, including reconciliation with First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples, local food has a central role to play. Indigenous peoples have been calling for more sovereignty over their food choices. Food is critical when it comes to recognizing and conserving traditional knowledge and biodiversity, all of which are deeply rooted in place since time immemorial.
From an environmental standpoint, we have touched on the opportunity to reduce the environmental impact of food by promoting locavore diets and certain practices such as organic farming and community and business-led food waste reduction efforts affecting food production, distribution and consumption, which can reduce pressure on the environment with respect to food, energy and water nexus.
This brings us to the political importance of food, with politics understood as broad power-type issues. Food, in general, and local food, in particular, should be of importance to all people of any ideological persuasion in all our political parties.
The concept of food sovereignty, where local food plays an important role and communities have the opportunity to take ownership of food-related resources, there is no doubt that Canada will always have to import and export food. Having some control over how we feed ourselves is an important issue rooted in local communities from coast to coast to coast.
This is why, for the second time, we will be launching our Eat Think Vote campaign to promote discussion of food and food policy during the federal election to take place this fall.
[Translation]
In closing, I will talk about the economic dimensions of local food. I would like to draw your attention to the written information we have distributed to the committee members. In brief, food produced or processed locally has an important economic impact and can potentially transform the economy of Canadian communities if sound public policies were adopted.
The study I have shared with you concerns the province of Ontario. It is a study published in 2015 carried out by the McConnell Foundation that suggests methods of changing the food system in Ontario to increase the consumption of local country food, create jobs and promote a healthy lifestyle. The report considers various scenarios, and it contains key observations I would like to share with you. For instance, a 10-per-cent reduction in imports for the 10 most common foods and vegetables and the expansion of local production would help create 3,400 jobs and increase the province’s gross domestic product by nearly a quarter of a billion dollars. Ontarians’ adoption of a healthier diet would increase the demand for fruits, vegetables and certain grains. For example, in the case of oats, that could create 241 jobs, and the province’s GDP would increase by more than $14.2 million.
Organic food accounting for 10 per cent could improve farm income and reduce the impact of food production on the environment.
Those are just a few examples.
The authors estimate that Ontario could produce more than half of its food imports, which total $20 billion. That is a fact our movement has recognized for a long time. So it was interesting to look at that study. Our organization could also help you learn more about our network and its economic impacts.
[English]
To conclude, we would like to reiterate our support for Bill C-281. We are pleased to note it was supported by all parties in the House of Commons and hope it will pass before Parliament rises. This is a timing issue of great importance if we want this to get through, along with other key pieces of food-related legislation.
We are delighted about the announcement of funding for a national food policy in Budget 2019, something we and our partners have advocated for over more than a decade. The $50 million allocation for community-driven local food infrastructure is directly relevant to our discussion today.
We look forward to the announcement of the food policy in the coming months, as well as related initiatives such as the commitment to a national healthy school food program. We reiterate our recommendation for a national, multi-stakeholder food advisory body for the food policy to steer the rollout and continue to be at your disposal to collaborate on continuing to create a healthy, just and sustainable food system in Canada.
Thank you very much, and I look forward to your questions.
Stuart Oke, Youth President, National Farmers Union: I am pleased to provide some testimony and learned experience from the National Farmers Union. I would otherwise be outside on this overcast day in my fields, so I am glad to be decidedly wearing different work attire from what I normally wear and be able to speak to this important bill.
I am a young farmer. Alongside my wife and our business partner, the three of us own and operate Rooted Oak Farm, a vegetable farm that caters to customers and CSA members in the Ottawa area.
I am honoured to hold the position of Youth President for the NFU, which puts me in contact with young farmers all across our country as we seek collective effort to help support the next generation of farmers in Canada. It is my pleasure to speak in their behalf and in strong support for the establishment of a national local food day in Canada.
The NFU is a direct voluntary membership organization that advocates for small and medium scale farmers. Member families of our union believe that, through an organization which represents all food and commodity sectors in Canada, it’s possible to promote the family farm as the most appropriate and efficient means of agricultural production today. Our membership and organization are strong proponents of food sovereignty and believe all people have a right to healthy and culturally appropriate food produced through ecologically sound and sustainable methods. Further, we believe that people have a right to define their own food and how it is produced.
Our local farms and farmers bring jobs and life to rural communities and are instrumental in building a resilient food system that feeds Canadians across the country. A national local food day will help underscore the need for Canadians everywhere to support local food, to help ensure our rural communities are strong and vibrant, and to help ensure that Canadians are fed and our environment is protected through that sustainable and resilient stewardship of the land.
The bill in discussion today is something that feels particularly important to me. As a self-described young farmer, I spend my days thinking about little else than local food. My business and livelihood are very much based on the success of planting seeds, tending crops, harvesting and selling. My life and those of my peers across the country are motivated by producing the highest quality food we can and the pride that comes with the production of something so fundamental to the lives of all Canadians.
While the barriers facing farmers today are numerous, I have learned through talking to farmers of all demographics, sectors and ages that there is one universal concern we all perennially worry about every year: Who is going to buy my crops, and will it be enough for me to earn a living wage?
Canada needs more local food and we need more people to buy it. I long for the day when I can spend all of my energy on producing as much healthy, nutritious food as I can in order to feed as many people as I can. Sadly, many farmers today and I have to spend too much time marketing our food often to the detriment of growing it.
We are lucky enough to live in a country that is capable, when nurtured properly and sustainably, of producing food in such abundance, quality and nutrition that no Canadian should ever go hungry.
From farmers’ markets to CSA baskets, grocery stores to food hubs, and co-ops to institutional buyers, with every dollar spent on local food Canadians are voting for a stronger, healthier food system. They are voting for vibrant rural communities with jobs and industries that support them. They are voting for healthy, nutritious food that is less travelled from our farms to their tables.
It is the belief of the NFU that the establishment of a national local food day is a further step toward food sovereignty in Canada. Its establishment, particularly around the time of Thanksgiving, provides symbolic significance for Canadians as they give thanks for the abundance of food and consider the things for which they are grateful. In addition to the practical considerations, regardless of farm type, most harvesting in Canada is at its most abundant in the fall. Pragmatically it would be a much better day for the people growing food.
That being said, the NFU would gladly propose every day as national local food day in Canada and would prefer people to think about it that way. If we are to have only one day, we believe that the passage of Bill C-281 will continue the conversation around the importance of local food in Canada. It will also send a clear and resounding signal to the Canadian public that the Government of Canada believes local food is critically important to feeding Canadians now and in the future.
The Chair: Thanks to both of you for your excellent presentations. They are generating questions.
Senator Plett: Mr. Oke, I have asked this question before. I am going to ask you and maybe I can get an answer.
When somebody is representing an organization, I am always curious as to the size of that organization. I have for a number of years tried to find out the membership of the Nation Farmers Union. Could you tell me what it is?
Mr. Oke: Senator Plett, I can tell you that we represent thousands of farmers across the country in every agricultural sector from coast to coast.
Senator Plett: I am not sure you would have to run for that position, but you would make a good politician because that’s not an answer.
The Chair: Senator Plett, if you want to know how many people are in the NFU on Prince Edward Island, if one of them dies, just go to the wake. We all go to wakes on Prince Edward Island.
Senator Plett: You should have been the witness, chair.
Senator Moodie: Do you see a difference or a distinction? National local food day seems to be taking things in a different direction and is perhaps complementary, more considered and focused on societal concerns such as environmental footprint. Perhaps it is more inclusiveness of diverse backgrounds, economically challenged people, Indigenous peoples, immigrants, refugees and women.
As compared to the existing Food Day Canada, do you see a supplementary role here?
Ms. Yasmeen: I see a lot of complementarity. As Mr. Oke mentioned, local food is kind of a mantra in the food movement. It is really a cross-cutting theme.
What Ms. Stewart and her organization are doing is absolutely wonderful. We need more of that across the country. The unique role of the Government of Canada is to set a frame for broader concerns, private initiatives and local food initiatives like those of Ms. Stewart or others such as the provinces, territories, municipalities and cities across Canada. We would welcome those.
The federal government has a certain jurisdiction that goes above and beyond what may be done privately, et cetera, but I see complete complementarity. What is nice is that the dates could be seen as an advantage where you would have a start of celebrations in August when there are certain crops, like cherries, for example.
I currently live in British Columbia. I am moving back to Montreal. Cherries come out in August and September, and then you have the harvest in October. We have different growing seasons in this country. It’s a big space.
It’s not a supply management issue. There are no quotas. We would like to see more and more activity on local food, whatever the jurisdiction. We support this because there is the possibility for a national framework here, particularly given the national food policy.
Senator R. Black: Just to be clear, I want to know what activities or initiatives your organizations would undertake that would be different, whether it be in August, October or February of another year.
Are there things that are pertinent to October where it sits now with respect to your organizations?
Mr. Oke: As I said in my opening remarks, for the bulk of farms with livestock and cereal production, harvesting is done in the fall. From a farming perspective, that is when there is an abundance of local food available for farmers to sell. This why October seems to be a much more sensible date to the National Farmers Union. As far as activities, our farmers continue to sell year round for the most part, but that’s why the October date would be preferable.
Ms. Yasmeen: We are a network of networks. A lot of different organizations and individuals are involved in our work. There is no one answer to this question. As a secretariat, we are quite a small resource-strapped organization.
If this bill passes, we would have to engage our network to see what activities we would have the capacity and resources to undertake, either driven by the secretariat or independently by various members because we are really a coalition.
Senator Kutcher: I want to cut to the crux of the question. These certainly are complementary initiatives. In your opinion, are they different enough from each other to have separate celebrations?
Ms. Yasmeen: Yes.
Mr. Oke: Yes, I agree. There is no bad time to celebrate local food. Every time is the time to celebrate local food. Having two events, there is no problem with having that.
[Translation]
Senator Dagenais: My question is for both witnesses. Based on previous testimony, do you feel that this bill is lacking elements to truly be complete? Should clarifications be made?
Ms. Yasmeen: Thank you, Senator Dagenais. My understanding is that this is a fairly simple bill. The goal is to mark this day with a celebration; it is not a day off. That day would be used to highlight the importance of food. At the same time, a food policy will soon be announced and the end of the parliamentary session is drawing near. In my opinion, it is neither necessary nor practical to think about amending this bill. Different days are celebrated for different reasons. It is rather symbolic. I encourage you to pass the bill as is.
[English]
Mr. Oke: Thank you, senator. I’m in complete agreement with my colleague from Food Secure Canada. The bill is straightforward and simple. It is a symbolic act which I think is meaningful to promote local food to all Canadians and for the government to stand up and say so.
From a practical standpoint, it doesn’t make much sense to make changes now. We need this yesterday. The sooner, the better, and I think it’s a simple straightforward bill to move forward on.
Senator C. Deacon: I have noted your point that the harvest occurs across the country starting very early in the season and extends for a long time.
I keep struggling with the fact as to why we wouldn’t be grabbing hold of something that already has a lot of momentum. You are resource strapped. You said that yourself. Everybody is. I really need you to explain it to me more clearly.
This is an important topic. I can’t agree with you more about the importance of supporting local food. I just haven’t heard reasons why, which are convincing to me, we wouldn’t grab hold of the momentum that already exists early in the harvest season to imprint in as many minds as possible the importance of eating Canadian-grown food.
Just try to work on that a bit more for me because I am just not there.
Ms. Yasmeen: Senator Deacon, as your neighbour Senator Kutcher explained, this is a very valuable private-led initiative which is terrific. There are a number of initiatives, maybe not of the same scope, that celebrate local food and consider it extremely important.
I would like for Parliament to pass this bill as an endorsement of everything that has been done on local food in this country and ratcheting it up to a new level. Like I said, there is no quota. This is a space where there is a lot of room to grow and for complementarity. I fail to see why this would take away anything from another initiative. It’s complementary. It would be the first time that the Parliament pronounces itself on local food, which is extremely important.
I agree that there is a certain tempest in the teapot. I think there is room for everybody. The more the merrier in terms of attention to local food from all its dimensions.
Mr. Oke: I would add to that. We’re very much in support of Canada Food Day and to the entire calendar of food events that exist all across the country. Earlier a senator ran through a few of them, and we are very much in support of every local food day that occurs.
I very much agree with my colleague from Food Secure Canada. Now is an appropriate time to make the mark and for Parliament to stand up and say this event in the proposed time slot is the most sensible for moving forward for Canadians and for farmers at this symbolic time of year.
The Chair: Thank you to the panel, and thank you, senators, for your consideration with the nice, short questions.
Honourable senators, is it agreed that the committee proceed to clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-281, An Act to establish a National Local Food Day?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Shall the title stand postponed?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Agreed.
Shall clause 1, which contains the short title, stand postponed?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Agreed.
Shall clause 2 carry?
Senator R. Black: Madam Chair, I have an amendment. I move:
That Bill C-281 be amended in clause 2, on page 1, by replacing lines 18 and 19 with the following:
“2 Throughout Canada, in each and every year, the first Saturday in August is to be known as “National Lo-”.
The Chair: We are waiting for everybody to get a copy of the amendment.
Let’s have a debate on the amendment you wish to speak to, please.
Senator R. Black: I propose changing the date to align with an initiative that has been in existence for 16 years, which has built and continues to build momentum.
The efforts can be combined rather than reinventing the wheel. There is already an awareness of Food Day Canada and existing resources. There is opportunity to build on that. There is opportunity to make the first Saturday in August a beacon for food and agriculture across this country, providing further information, as organizations get involved, about food and food security to the public. It is in addition to the many other celebratory events.
I believe August is a better time because it is harvest time. Fresh foods are available everywhere. People are outside enjoying the weather. On Thanksgiving weekend, people are at home or travelling to their home towns, and in some parts of this great country we’ve already had frost.
[Translation]
Senator Cormier: I will make my comments in French. You won’t be surprised to learn that I will be opposing the amendment. I think we have heard this morning many arguments for keeping the October date. I would still like to point out how much I appreciate and am impressed by the work done by Ms. Stewart regarding the Food Day Canada. This is a wonderful undertaking that helps promote local products and showcase entrepreneurs. It is a high-profile event in Canada. We don’t have to worry about another event that would also mark the National Local Food Day. I consume a lot of food in restaurants that are celebrating Food Day Canada. I have talked to some restaurant owners and I know they really like that day and have nothing against marking a National Local Food Day. I think that the most important thing, on that day in October—and this has been brought up several times—is the entire dimension related to education, food security and tourism. The obesity rate is very high among young Canadians. The idea of having that date in October also has to do with a vision of promoting local food in Canada. The elected members of the House of Commons passed this bill unanimously with that date. So I propose that we reject this amendment and keep the bill as is. Thank you.
[English]
Senator Plett: I simply want to echo a few of the comments that Senator Black made.
I am from Manitoba. In October there is a better than good chance of us having inclement weather in Manitoba. People are indoors, or indeed they are travelling. August is when there are a lot of celebrations and a lot of festivals. I think it is a perfect time to celebrate something like a national local food day. I personally believe it would get a lot more positive attention and a lot more publicity in August.
Let’s never hang our hat on something the House of Commons did. We see over and over again how quickly they vote on something without giving anything a whole lot of consideration. They think it sounds good, so let’s do it. That’s why we are a chamber of sober second thought, even on a bill like this one.
I certainly support the amendment. I think Senator Cormier has done something here. He needs to be applauded for bringing this bill forward, bringing this bill to our attention.
Those of you who have been here for a while know that I am typically not very supportive of creating any more days. I think we have enough days that we celebrate, but I could bring myself to support something when we do in collaboration or in conjunction with something else.
To do this in October, I find difficult. I am not saying that I would be opposed to the bill with that in there, but I would certainly be a lot more enthusiastic about supporting it in August.
Senator Kutcher: When I first went over all this material, read all the letters and the notes, and indeed spoke with my esteemed colleague Senator Black, I was very much in favour of the idea of the amendment. I must say, however, on sober second thought, I heard arguments today that made me rethink some of my original thoughts.
Last night, as I said, I did a fair bit of research looking at food days. As I shared with some of our colleagues earlier, August has 41 already and October already has 45. Senator Plett, you and I can probably enjoy Whiskey Sour Day together. I look forward to doing that.
These are unique events. Food Day Canada is wonderful. It has brought a direction to us. I celebrate it. My friends celebrate it. My sons, who are aspiring chefs, celebrate it. We all do that and we think it is outstanding.
On the other hand, the idea of national local food day also has some good parts about it. I think Senator Moodie raised some of the issues in the questions that she asked.
One of the interesting things with the national local food day is that it is linked to an already existing holiday, Thanksgiving, and is similar to Shrove Tuesday being linked to Easter. That’s another tradition, a long tradition, a global tradition.
I see these two events as complementary, but also different in terms of their focus. I was trying to understand this. I went back to my mathematics, which is not stellar, I must say. I thought of it in a model of a Venn diagram. There is certainly an overlapping component, but in a Venn diagram both circles are unique and separate. The Venn diagram is a lovely depiction of what we are hearing today, that there is complementarity but there are enough differences to keep them separate.
Although I felt quite strongly that I would support the amendment prior to my research last night, I think I have now gone to the other side of the fence.
Senator C. Deacon: Thank you, chair. Thanks to all of our witnesses. Thank you, Senator Cormier, for your sponsorship of this bill. I think it is a really important initiative.
As a start-up entrepreneur, I have a sense of how important it is to stage your strategy issues as you are building traction and momentum. We have the ability here to grab hold of some very strong traction and momentum for something that I agree is really important: our first national local food day endorsed by the federal government.
To me, it is important that government not compete with private initiatives and not usurp private initiatives but enhance and bring momentum to them.
I very much support the amendment. I think it is an elegant way of bringing these two important initiatives together and to make sure that we are building on traction and momentum that are already there. By doing it early in the season, we are imprinting in people’s minds the importance of this through the harvest season across the country. I also like the fact that there are many resources already available that we can supplement. There are activities. There is momentum. There are partners. All of these are really important.
The last thing I would like to say is this really ties in nicely to our efforts and focus of the last number of months on value-added agriculture. It really shows the connection through the food chain.
We are not just promoting the production of local food but its consumption in many different ways through restaurants and other initiatives. It fits really well, and I support Senator Black’s efforts in this regard.
Senator Moodie: My comments are very short. Like Senator Kutcher, yesterday, when Senator Black approached me, it seemed to me that this was a slam dunk, but in doing preparatory work last evening and listening to our witnesses today, I think I changed my mind.
I see a difference between the two. I see a significant need for focus on local food, which would benefit from a day that is named in its favour. I see them as unique events but complementary. I see quite a different focus for national local food day, one that is more geared to societal concerns, like I said before, and more inclusive in bringing in people of diverse backgrounds and economically challenged people whose focus is not about enjoying the food of restaurants and activities that have been lauded today like barbecues.
We learn a lot from our Indigenous people who want their sovereignty around food and recognize conserving traditional knowledge and biodiversity as important factors.
For me, it is worthwhile to have a unique focus on local foods that would enhance and broaden the general focus for the agricultural sector and would allow people at yet another opportunity to see the value of Canadian food and consider more carefully the societal and cultural side of Canadian food.
I would support moving ahead without amendment because, as our witness said, if we have any hope of passing it in this current parliamentary session, it will need to go unamended.
[Translation]
Senator Dagenais: I will support the amendment for a very simple reason: we want to make this day a family celebration, a celebration to educate people. When we look at the weather in Quebec, people don’t feel like celebrating in October. In fact, we are in May and feel like it is still winter. When we look at festivals and celebrations, everything happens during the summer. I think this is a good bill, but, if we want to maximize the attendance at this event, the day should be celebrated during the summer. I think that August would be more appropriate. So I will support Senator Black’s amendment.
[English]
Senator Smith: Thank you, chair, for allowing me to speak.
From a religious standpoint, Thanksgiving is always viewed, at least in the Anglican Church, as the end of a season and giving thanks for what we have received. When you are at church every week, there is part of it in the Anglican Church that talks about making sure there are food and resources for everyone and being thankful to God, among about 15 different repetitious statements.
From a marketing perspective, Senator Black’s amendment gives a real opportunity to do something that is unique in differentiating yourself. From a professional sports perspective, I can tell you, having played in October in the Western provinces, it is extremely cold. People are wearing big jackets and they are preparing for the worst. You do get the worst. I can remember playing out in Saskatchewan at the end of September when George Reid ran for 300 yards and killed us, but it was like 10 inches of snow and minus 15.
When you look at the marketing perspective of having life, excitement and newness, the August date gives us that opportunity. I think I support Senator Black’s amendment.
The Chair: Let’s go to a second round.
[Translation]
Senator Dagenais: I would like to clarify something. If we want to add more substance to the bill, if we want to give it a more effective vision, I think that Senator Black’s motion helps do that. It would be normal to celebrate the day during vacation. We have to give that day substance. So I think Senator Black’s motion is appropriate.
[English]
Senator Cormier: The only thing I would like to add is that this bill focuses a lot on community-based initiatives. It deals with education.
Wouldn’t you agree that in August it is not the time to work with schools? Schools are not open on those dates. We should not minimize the importance of this day for education. I am thinking of young people across Canada.
Even though August is a great time to celebrate local food, all the teachers and all the schools can work around this bill and around this day to do work with the students.
I have to admit that I understand all the arguments, but I can’t agree with that when I think about the rate of obesity in Canada and when I think about the importance of education for young Canadians. This bill would certainly help with that. That is my last comment.
Senator Housakos: I will be brief because I am also a visitor at this committee, but I think it is an important initiative and a good bill. I think Senator Black’s recommendation is also very logical. It doesn’t change the essence of what the motion is trying to achieve.
I disagree with my friend Senator Cormier. From an educational point of view, the ideal time to do it is in August. I want to reiterate what my colleague Senator Dagenais said. In Montreal, we don’t have a huge agricultural industry, but we consume a lot of food. In the summertime between the end of June through August is when the city is most alive. With the Just for Laughs Festival, our Jazz Festival and Formula 1, the city comes alive.
When you get to the end of August in the province of Quebec — I don’t know what it is like in the rest of the country — that’s when schools start going back. Our schools start around the August 25 or 26. Our Cégep students go back to school as early as August 17 or 18. From an educational point of view, what better time to celebrate this than when the children are getting ready to go back to school and are going back to school and are getting ready to go back to school? With the curricula at the Cégep, high school and elementary levels, as you start the school year is the best time to celebrate something like this rather than in October when the children are very much knee deep in their academic studies.
For those reasons and for some of the others I heard around the table, I will be supporting the amendment.
The Chair: I don’t see other hands up, and some senators have other meetings that start in 10 minutes, so let’s move to the vote on the amendment.
I assume we don’t need to read the amendment. Everyone clearly understands it. Is it your pleasure, honourable senators, to adopt the motion in amendment?
Some Hon. Senators: Agreed.
Some Hon. Senators: No.
The Chair: Honourable senators, we will now be proceeding to a roll call. The Clerk of the Committee will call members’ names, beginning with the chair and then going in alphabetical order. Senators should verbally indicate whether they vote for or against or abstain.
Kevin Pittman, Clerk of the Committee: The Honourable Senator Griffin?
The Chair: No.
Mr. Pittman: The Honourable Senator Bernard?
Senator Bernard: No.
Mr. Pittman: The Honourable Senator R. Black?
Senator R. Black: Yes.
Mr. Pittman: The Honourable Senator Cormier?
Senator Cormier: No.
Mr. Pittman: The Honourable Senator Dagenais?
Senator Dagenais: Yes.
Mr. Pittman: The Honourable Senator C. Deacon?
Senator C. Deacon: Yes.
Mr. Pittman: The Honourable Senator Housakos?
Senator Housakos: Yes.
Mr. Pittman: The Honourable Senator Kutcher?
Senator Kutcher: No.
Mr. Pittman: The Honourable Senator Moodie?
Senator Moodie: No.
Mr. Pittman: The Honourable Senator Plett?
Senator Plett: Yes.
Mr. Pittman: The Honourable Senator Smith?
Senator Smith: Yes.
The Chair: By a vote of 6 yeas and 5 nays, the amendment is carried.
Since the amendment is adopted, we now go back to the main clause, as amended. Shall clause 2, as amended, carry?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: I declare that carried, as amended.
Shall clause 3 carry?
Senator R. Black: I have an amendment. I move:
That Bill C-281 be amended in clause 3, on page 2, by replacing line 2 with the following:
“legal holiday.”.
It’s a consequential amendment based on the first one having passed. A non-juridical day is a legal holiday or a Saturday or a Sunday. Since this is Saturday, we need to take out the words “non-juridical day.”
I apologize that I didn’t wait until that was delivered. This is a housekeeping amendment.
The Chair: So there is no debate on this. Are honourable senators ready for the question?
An Hon. Senator: Question.
The Chair: Will all those in favour of the amendment say yea?
Hon. Senators: Yea.
The Chair: Any nays?
The amendment is carried.
Shall clause 3 carry, as amended?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Shall clause 1, which contains the short title, carry?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: That’s carried.
Shall the title carry?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Carried.
Shall the bill, as amended, carry?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Carried.
Is it agreed that I report this bill, as amended, to the Senate?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Agreed.
Is it agreed that the Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel be authorized to make technical, numerical and typographical changes and adjustments to the amendments adopted by the committee?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Is it agreed that I report this bill, as amended, to the Senate?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Thank you, senators.
(The committee adjourned.)