For most Canadians, the price of food isn’t an abstract policy issue — it’s a weekly stressor. Whether you're feeding a family, caring for an aging parent, or living on your own, every trip to the grocery store feels heavier on the wallet. And while inflation, supply chains, and weather get a lot of blame, the truth runs deeper. Canada is caught in a global shift that’s changing how food moves, how it’s made, and who gets it first.

Food is no longer just a consumer issue — it’s a national one. And if we want to keep food affordable and accessible for Canadians, we need to start treating our food system like the strategic asset it is.

Around the world, countries are scrambling to secure their own food supply. Trade relationships are shifting. Economic alliances are less reliable. And major powers are prioritizing themselves. Canada, as a country that depends on trade to feed its population and support its economy, can’t afford to sit back and hope it all works out.

This is a moment of choice. And with a federal election set for April 28th, it’s a moment that matters. Voters deserve to know where each party stands on food security, affordability, and the long-term resilience of our supply chains. These aren’t side issues — they’re central to the economic stability of every household in this country.

The next government must step up — not with short-term fixes, but with a serious, long-term plan. That starts with a simple truth: protecting affordability means preparing our economy to withstand global shocks.

We need to support domestic manufacturing and food processing so we’re not overly reliant on imports when things get tough. That includes tax incentives for companies that invest in Canadian facilities — especially in areas where food security is fragile. And we can’t keep making it harder for food to move within our own borders. Interprovincial trade barriers drive up costs and make no sense in today’s economy.

We also need to fix the cracks in our infrastructure — roads, ports, border systems — that slow down deliveries and raise costs before products even hit the shelves. And we need smart trade policies that don’t just look south, but open more markets and reduce our dependence on a handful of trading partners. The more doors we open, the more options Canadians have — and the less exposed we are when global tensions flare up.

This isn’t about politics. It’s about making sure that when a crisis hits — a pandemic, a war, a trade dispute — shelves stay stocked and prices stay stable. Because in this new global economy, countries that plan ahead will feed their people. Countries that don’t will pay the price.

Canadians are already paying that price. We see it every week. And while no single policy can solve the issue, a coordinated strategy can make a real difference — from farm to factory to front door.

So yes, affordability matters. But it doesn’t come from wishful thinking or piecemeal promises. It comes from leadership that sees the whole picture — and acts. This election is a chance to demand that leadership.

Because at the end of the day, food is not just about economics — it’s about people. And Canadians deserve a system built to serve them, not strain them.