Profit before plates: How corporate greed fuels Canada’s food crisis

Food insecurity has become one of the most alarming issues facing Canadians today. This is particularly apparent in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, where nearly 29 and 26 per cent of the respective populations struggle to afford essential nutrition. Food bank usage in Canada has increased by 78.5 per cent since March 2019. Disturbingly, children bear a disproportionate share of this burden. This isn’t just a story of hunger – it’s a public health crisis, economic inequity, and a failing social safety net all rolled into one. And it’s a crisis that demands immediate, bold action.

Leading researcher Valerie Tarasuk defines food insecurity as the inability to access enough nutritious food due to financial constraints. This problem goes far beyond empty plates. It’s fueling a surge in preventable diseases like diabetes, cancer, and mental health disorders.

Casey Means, a leading voice for food system reform, warns that the rise in diet-related illnesses is staggering and largely avoidable. In Canada, where one in eight households is food insecure, the situation is only worsening.

Canada’s hidden health crisis: How food is killing us

As food prices climb, the quality of what we eat continues to decline. Grocery store shelves are stocked with heavily processed, nutrient-deficient foods that are slowly eroding our nation’s health. According to the World Health Organization, reform is needed to promote healthier food environments, and Canada must respond before it’s too late.

What’s fueling this crisis? Corporate greed. Giants like Sobeys, Loblaws, and Metro dominate our grocery industry, reaping huge profits while Canadians go hungry. During the pandemic, as families scrambled to make ends meet, these corporations saw their profits skyrocket—exposing a cruel imbalance between corporate gain and public welfare.

Boycotts like the Loblaw campaign show consumers’ growing frustration, but individual actions aren’t enough. Canada needs sweeping reforms to address the systemic inequities in our food system.

Corporate control: Holding Canada’s food system hostage

The consolidation of power in the grocery sector has limited Canadians’ choices and led to high prices for unhealthy, processed foods. This is not just a market failure but also a social justice issue. The most vulnerable, including low-income families, single mothers, Indigenous populations, and racialized groups, are disproportionately affected by food insecurity. This compounds existing issues such as poverty and housing instability.

The soaring grocery prices combined with inadequate social support have made it nearly impossible for many families to secure nutritious meals, exposing the deep flaws in Canada’s food security policy.

Time for policy reform: A better path forward

Canada’s current policies fail to address the root causes of food insecurity. Programs like the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) provide some relief, but they fail to address structural issues like poverty, stagnant wages, and skyrocketing housing prices. Food banks, while essential in emergencies, are a band-aid solution to a much larger problem.

The solution lies in bold, systemic change, starting with a guaranteed basic income. Basic income would provide families with the financial stability to access food, housing, and healthcare. Studies show that such programs not only reduce food insecurity but also lessen the strain on the health care system by improving overall health outcomes.

But financial aid isn’t enough. Canada must invest in local food systems, supporting community gardens, farm-to-table programs, and local agriculture. By reducing dependence on grocery giants, we can empower communities and lower costs. Additionally, expanding school meal programs would ensure that every child has access to nutritious meals, supporting their health and education.

Time for food security to become a human right

Food insecurity in Canada is not just about hunger; it’s a public health crisis that affects every aspect of our society. Its impact is felt in healthcare, education, and the economy. As the situation worsens, there is an urgent need for bold, comprehensive reforms. The time for temporary fixes is over. What we need now is action, including a guaranteed basic income, stricter regulations on grocery monopolies, and a focus on building resilient local food systems.

Food is not a luxury—it’s a fundamental human right. Yet, if we continue to prioritize corporate profits over people’s well-being, millions of Canadians will remain vulnerable. We cannot afford to ignore the gravity of this crisis any longer. It’s time to shift our priorities and ensure that food security is accessible to all.

The choice is clear: prioritize people and make food security a reality, or witness the deterioration of Canada’s health and stability.

Lexi Johnson is a pseudonym for a social worker who wishes to remain anonymous due to their employer.