OTTAWA – The Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada (FVGC) is disappointed that the Government of Canada has overlooked a critical opportunity to address the urgent challenges impacting food security and the fruit and vegetable sector in the Federal Economic Statement. At a time when 8.7 million Canadians live in food-insecure households and food bank visits have surged by 90% since 2019, bold action is needed. FVGC urges the government to prioritize food security by viewing policy decisions through a food lens, ensuring that all measures support the availability, quality, and diversity of domestically grown food.
“The Fall Economic Statement was a missed opportunity to address the real challenges facing Canadian growers and food security,” says Marcus Janzen, President of FVGC. “We’ve seen what pragmatic solutions can accomplish, like the recent adoption of Bill C-280 by the Senate. Bill C-280, which provides financial protection for fruit and vegetable growers in cases of buyer insolvency, is a clear example of effective action. By implementing similarly practical solutions, we can reduce costs, strengthen domestic production, and ensure Canadian-grown food remains accessible to families across the country.”
FVGC has identified key priorities where government action is urgently required to protect Canada’s food future. Without quick improvements to labour programs, growers will struggle to harvest perishable crops—reducing food diversity, driving up prices, and limiting access to homegrown fruits and vegetables. Streamlining the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP) is essential to ensure growers have the workers they need, with improved flexibility, processing times, and coordination to meet operational realities.
Rising input costs erode competitiveness, particularly as global competitors receive targeted support. Investments in climate adaptation, energy efficiency, and sustainability measures are needed to ensure Canadian fruit and vegetable growers remain competitive, reducing reliance on imports and safeguarding food sovereignty.
Growers also face challenges accessing urgently needed tools to manage pests and diseases effectively. Increasing funding for the Pest Management Centre (PMC) and the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) will expedite approvals, protecting yields and maintaining a stable, secure food supply.
Without immediate action, Canada’s fruit and vegetable sector risks increased reliance on imported food, higher costs for families, fewer Canadian-grown options, and the continued loss of family farms and rural jobs.
“Food security is not a luxury; it’s a necessity,” says Massimo Bergamini, Executive Director of FVGC. “By applying a food lens to policy decisions, we can strengthen Canada’s food system, support growers, and ensure every Canadian has access to fresh, high-quality food produced here at home.”
Canada’s food future depends on meaningful action and collaboration. FVGC stands ready to work with policymakers to develop solutions that protect Canadian growers, strengthen food security, and ensure a sustainable future for Canadian families.
Source : FVCG