Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has unveiled the country's first National Food Security Strategy, a ten-year plan backed by more than CAD 3 billion (approx. $2.1 billion) in funding.

The federal government said the strategy is designed to address rising food costs, supply chain vulnerabilities and growing pressures on food systems linked to global trade disruptions, geopolitical tensions and climate change.

According to the government, Canada remains one of the world's largest agri-food exporters, but consumers continue to face some of the highest grocery prices among G7 nations. Officials also highlighted concerns around limited competition in the grocery retail sector and an overreliance on foreign suppliers.

The strategy is built around four priorities: increasing competition in grocery retail, expanding domestic food production, boosting year-round fruit and vegetable production and reducing regulatory barriers across the agricultural supply chain.

As part of efforts to improve competition, the government will invest CAD 1 billion (approx. $715 million) in food infrastructure, including new and expanded food terminals and distribution hubs intended to help independent grocers access competitively priced products without relying on major retail chains.

The government will also allocate nearly CAD 130 million (approx. $93 million) to the Competition Bureau and Competition Tribunal to strengthen investigations into anti-competitive practices.

To support domestic food production, Canada will establish a new CAD 1 billion Agri-food Project Finance Fund through Farm Credit Canada, providing seed capital for businesses seeking to expand food processing capacity.

A further CAD 150 million (approx. $107 million) Food Security Fund will help small and medium-sized enterprises upgrade equipment used to grow, produce and process food, while a CAD 100 million (approx. $71.5 million) Collaborative Food Innovation Fund will support expansion of agri-food processing activities.

The strategy also includes a CAD 750 million (approx. $536 million) investment to increase year-round production of fruits and vegetables through greenhouses, vertical farms and other controlled-environment agriculture systems.

In addition, the government plans to modernise agricultural regulations, accelerate approvals for seeds, feed, fertilisers and veterinary products, and reduce administrative burdens on farmers and food producers.

Measures will also be introduced to help provincially licensed food businesses more easily meet federal requirements and sell products across provincial and territorial borders.

Carney said: “Canada is one of the world’s great food producers. But too much of what we grow is processed elsewhere, and too many Canadians still rely on imported food at higher prices. Canadian farmers deserve more options to sell their produce, and Canadians deserve more options for where to buy their food."

"Canada’s first-ever National Food Security Strategy will help grow and process more food here and put more Canada on Canadian plates – lowering costs, creating jobs and building a food system that is more resilient, more competitive, and more our own.”

Heath MacDonald, Canada's minister of agriculture and agri-food, added: “The National Food Security Strategy is about giving Canadians greater choice, control and access to affordable, locally produced food. Through this made-in-Canada approach, we will process more of what our farmers grow here at home, creating jobs, driving economic growth and strengthening Canada's food self-sufficiency."

"By reducing red tape and helping innovative businesses get projects off the ground faster, we will unlock new opportunities for farmers, food processors and entrepreneurs across the agri-food sector.”

Alongside the strategy, the government announced additional measures to support food affordability and domestic productions, including CAD 20 million (approx. $14.3 million) for food banks and community food organisations, tax relief for new or expanded greenhouse developments, renewed support for Canada's fisheries sector and reforms to the Nutrition North Canada programme aimed at improving food access and affordability in northern communities.