Advocating for a plant-based food system on Parliament Hill
From April 10-12, members of our team returned to Ottawa to engage with Members of Parliament (MPs) to promote the benefits of a more plant-based food system. Discover how these discussions could shape Canada’s food policies.
By Melissa Matlow, Campaign Director
Photo: Christian Diotte, House Photographer
Here is a glimpse into our impactful days on Parliament Hill:
Day 1: Engaging with our champions
We met with MPs who we have worked with to advance animal welfare policies in the past. We call them our champions!
The focus of our discussions was on the significant climate impacts of meat-heavy diets and the benefits of plant-focused diets for environment, health and animals. We emphasized the opportunities for reducing climate emissions from food by government procuring more plant-based food in federal institutions and programs (for example the National Student Food Program) in line with Canada’s Food Guide. We also shared our research and policy recommendations for addressing climate emissions from factory farms. And we encouraged all parties to consider animal welfare commitments when developing their next election platform.
World Animal Protection team with MP Alexandra Mendès
Day 2: Parliamentary reception
We were honoured to host a parliamentary reception with MP Ryan Turnbull, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry.
MPs Nathaniel Erskine-Smith and Ryan Turnbull with World Animal Protection’s Country Director, Colin Saravanamuttoo and Board Vice-Chair, Janice Myers.
Our Country Director, Colin Saravanamuttoo opened the reception by making the case for plant-based proteins:
“Support for plant-based proteins not only helps the environment but improves the health of Canadians and drives economic growth across rural and urban Canada. With Earth’s resources being pushed to the limit, it is more urgent than ever to reduce land pressures and the emissions resulting from the food we eat. Large-scale animal agriculture through industrial farming has led to concerns over how animals are treated.”
MP Ryan Turnbull spoke about his past work on food security and made supportive remarks about government funding for plant-based protein innovations and the necessary next steps to foster a sustainable, affordable, and just food system.
“By showcasing and promoting alternative foods emerging from our plant-protein sector, we demonstrate our commitment to sustainability and support for innovative producers. Increased procurement of plant-based foods in our institutions mirrors global trends towards healthier, more sustainable diets, as evidenced by Denmark's recent plant-based food roadmap and UNEP's advocacy for alternative proteins.”
MP Adam van Koeverden, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change also made supportive remarks.
“Building out our plant-based protein industry of course holds enormous economic potential, but imagine the impacts for a healthier environment and a more humane approach to agriculture.”
We were delighted to showcase plant-based food businesses and innovators at our reception, including Lisa-Ann Geddes and Rosetta Dodd of Vegan Delights, a restaurant in Whitby. They are pictured here with their local MP Ryan Turnbull. We can’t wait to take a staff trip to visit their restaurant soon!
We were also pleased to have many MPs attend the reception and share their support for policies that encourage a transition to a more humane and sustainable, plant-based food system.
Surrey Centre MP Randeep Sarai with World Animal Protection's Farming Campaign Manager, Lynn Kavanagh
Nud Fud Founder/CEO, Julia Kirouac with Whitby MP Ryan Turnbull and Aurora-Oak Ridges-Richmond Hill MP Leah Taylor-Roy
Toronto-Danforth MP Julie Dabrusin, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change with World Animal Protection’s Campaign Director, Melissa Matlow.
Day 3: Future plans
On our final day in Ottawa, the team met with Ottawa Centre MP, Yasir Naqvi, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health. We discussed the need to educate Canadians and implement Canada’s Food Guide, particularly the recommendation for eating more plant-based foods for healthier, climate-friendly diets. The government should lead by example and procure more plant-based foods in federal institutions and programs like the National Student Food Program as our Country Director, Colin Saravanamuttoo recently wrote about in the Hill Times.
We also urged the Ministry of Health to negotiate for a strong International Pandemic Agreement at the World Health Assembly in May and to support the passage of Bill C-293, The Pandemic Prevention and Preparedness Act. This critical bill would help Canada fulfil its international obligations and address top animal-related pandemic drivers including live animal markets, the wildlife trade, intensive farming and antimicrobial resistance.
