This has been a season of elections for people in the Greater Toronto Area, with both a provincial election campaign and now a federal campaign, all under the shadow of an unpredictable, threatening American neighbour. The party whose leader is able to gain the confidence of the House of Commons to govern will significantly shape Canada’s social, economic and political future. That future must centre on ensuring this country is a place where all residents have the resources and opportunities they need to be healthier and more resilient.
We now face an uncertain, precarious future. But it is important to remember that this is nothing new for many. Many living in Canada need change that addresses the structural issues that prevent them from good health. Low income, Indigenous, racialized, 2SLGBTQ+ and those unhoused or inadequately housed need Canada to do better. They need a society and government that ensures no one lives sicker or dies younger because they lack the conditions they need for health. We need action that makes sure health is a birthright.
Long before even the threat of tariffs, Canada was facing the impacts of the mounting cost of living, an aging population, health system pressures, worsening mental health and well-being, and climate change. There were and are significant and worsening inequalities in exposure to the social factors that impact health. Income, poverty, employment, food security and housing (among others) vary depending on who you are and where you live.
During April, Wellesley Institute is providing recommendations on issues we know Canada’s political leaders must address. We began with a look at what parties should do to progress towards ensuring everyone in Canada has what they need to thrive – to live a healthy, engaged life. We then examined housing, and particularly the health impacts of homelessness.
Below, we consider healthy, affordable food.
Food security
Access to affordable and healthy food is an important health equity issue. It affects the health of individuals in both the short and long term. Research shows children from food insecure households are likely to have poorer physical and mental health, are more likely to go to the hospital, and have poorer cognitive outcomes in later life.
Food insecurity has risen significantly in recent years. Statistics Canada data revealed 22.9 per cent of residents in the 10 provinces lived in a food-insecure household in 2023. Visits to food banks are also unsustainably high, with the Daily Bread Food Bank in Toronto reporting a 273 per cent increase since before the COVID-19 pandemic.
All parties should make food security a key priority in their platforms. While food insecurity is related to income, leaders should be willing to consider other changes that could help. Previous efforts to address poverty through means-tested programs such as the Canada Child Benefit and the Grocery Rebate did not reach everyone who is going hungry or at risk of going hungry. Data shows food banks are increasingly seeing first-time visits from those who are employed and have jobs as their primary source of income. Recipients of these programs may still be forced to use income on other necessities, rather than healthy, nutritious food.
Wellesley Institute has previously recommended the federal government approach food from the bottom up, and put health, affordability and nutrition first. Similar to how utilities such as water and electricity are regulated, items in the National Nutritious Food Basket, such as apples, whole wheat flour, milk and eggs, should be available at every grocery store at a price every household can afford. Although implementation may be complex, the government could work with relevant sectors to require grocers to make the foods from that basket available to everyone in Canada at a set price that every family in each region in Canada can afford.
We urge parties to adopt this recommendation, while also looking forward to other steps they may propose to ensure everyone can afford the healthy food they need.