Open AccessIntegrative Governance for Ecological Public Health: An Analysis of ‘Food Policy for Canada’ (2015-2019)
Author(s) -
Peter Andrée,
Patricia Ballamingie,
Mary Coulas
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
canadian food studies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2292-3071
DOI - 10.15353/cfs-rcea.v8i2.450
Subject(s) - food security , food policy , corporate governance , stakeholder , food systems , government (linguistics) , public health , public policy , general partnership , civil society , health policy , political science , public relations , public administration , business , economics , economic growth , ecology , medicine , politics , agriculture , linguistics , philosophy , nursing , finance , law , biology
Normatively grounded in the ecological public health paradigm, this paper speaks to the role of public policy in addressing food and nutrition-related health challenges through a critical analysis of the 2019 Food Policy for Canada (FPC). We draw on primary data gathered through a SSHRC-funded Partnership Grant, Food: Locally Embedded, Globally Engaged (FLEdGE). Qualitative research methods include interviews with key stakeholders and policy makers, critical review of national food policy consultation documents, participant observation in government-, industry- and civil society-led conversations about the food policy, as well as an investigation of stakeholder responses to the FPC announcements of 2019. Our analysis focuses on how Canada’s new food policy: adopts an integrative, pan-Canadian approach; explicitly connects health and environmental dimensions of food; augments food security in a systematic way; addresses unique food security and health issues facing Indigenous Peoples; improves the health of food environments, such as those in Canada’s schools; and, meaningfully includes relevant stakeholders in food system governance. Against these expectations, we assert that the Food Policy for Canada does not yet provide an integrative, systems-based approach to addressing food and nutrition-related health issues consistent with the ecological public health approach, despite significant progress made. We conclude by proposing a research agenda for tracking Canada’s food policy implementation and development going forward.