The Canadian government marked World Food Day Oct. 16 by promising increased efforts to fight world hunger, including poverty-induced hunger at home.
“Over 800 million human beings do not have enough to eat in a world that produces enough food to feed every man, woman and child,” said a statement from agriculture minister Lyle Vanclief.
Canada shares this paradox, said the minister. It is a rich country that produces surplus food and contributes hundreds of millions of dollars to food aid.
“There are vulnerable people in Canada who are unable to meet their food needs without compromising other basic needs.”
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The federal government promises, made in Toronto as a joint effort by Agriculture Canada and the Canadian International Development Agency, were vague enough to avoid spending commitments.
But they did make it clear that Canada will try to help meet the international goal, established at the 1996 World Food Summit, of cutting world hunger in half by 2015.
The promises included a commitment that Canada will work with other nations to define a “right to food” agreement reached in 1996. Canadian aid will be targeted at those in other countries most in need of food. And while Canada commits itself to freer trade, it also said it supports monitoring how freer trade affects the poor in developing countries.
It said the promise of biotechnology provides part of the answer to world food shortages.
However, the government strategy paper said there are deeper issues as well.
“It recognizes that food security implies access to adequate food and sufficient food supply,” said the position paper. “Poverty reduction, social justice and sustainable food systems are essential conditions.”
Despite the lack of spending commitments, the Winnipeg-based Canadian Foodgrains Bank considered the federal statement a significant event.
It was “a good way to publicly highlight Canada’s commitment to the world’s hungry,” said the church-supported food aid group. “But action is a must if Canada hopes to make a real difference in the lives of hungry people.”
The United Nations World Food Program marked the day by insisting that support for women and their role as food gatherers and providers in many of the world’s developing countries is key to dealing with world hunger.
Agriculture Canada said it would establish a bureau within the department to “help implement measures outlined in the plan and to monitor and report on its progress.”
