Minister Bibeau highlights Budget 2023 investments to strengthen food security

From: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

News release

April 14, 2023 – Val-des-Monts, Quebec – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Today, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, and Sophie Chatel, Member of Parliament for Pontiac, visited Le Grenier des Collines food bank facility in Val-des-Monts, Quebec, where they highlighted Budget 2023 investments that will strengthen food security in local communities and make life more affordable while building a healthy future. Budget 2023 proposes to provide $10 million in 2023-24 to top up the Local Food Infrastructure Fund (LFIF) to strengthen food security in communities across Canada. This new phase of the LFIF will be launched shortly.

Minister Bibeau and MP Chatel also met with agriculture and food security stakeholders during a roundtable in Gracefield. Minister Bibeau also went to Brownsburg-Chatham, accompanied by Stéphane Lauzon, MP for Argenteuil – La Petite-Nation, to visit the Argenteuil MRC community agriculture project.

The LFIF is a $70-million federal government initiative that supports not-for-profit organizations and community-led efforts in strengthening local food systems to improve food security. Since it first launched in August 2019, the LFIF has committed $55.4 million to support over 897 vital food security projects across Canada. Of this total, 188 projects were in Indigenous communities, including community gardens and kitchens, refrigerated trucks and storage units for donated food and greenhouses.

Le Grenier des Collines received a total of $73,159 through past phases of the LFIF to purchase kitchen equipment and acquire a refrigerated truck. These community projects allowed the organization to increase food processing capacity, while also improving distribution to community members in the region. 

The Government of Canada is also providing new, targeted inflation relief to Canadians hardest hit by rising food prices. Budget 2023 proposes to introduce a one-time Grocery Rebate providing $2.5 billion in targeted inflation relief for 11 million low- and modest-income Canadians and families.

Budget 2023 investments will support many Canadians in reducing their financial burdens and help them build a healthy and prosperous future. 

Quotes

“It is essential that communities have the tools they need to strengthen their local food systems, which will have a long-term impact on food security. This new phase of the Local Food Infrastructure Fund will continue to support the efforts of organizations across Canada, just like Le Grenier des Collines, by allowing them to obtain vital materials so that they may offer food services to people who need it most.”

- The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food  

"For many people in Argenteuil – La Petite-Nation, and for all Canadians, inflation is at the heart of their concerns, especially when it comes to their grocery cart. The government is taking quick and targeted action to address cost of living issues, such as the new grocery rebate. This is our plan to make life more affordable."

- Stéphane Lauzon, Member of Parliament for Argenteuil – La Petite-Nation and Parliamentary Secretary for the Minister of Rural Economic Development

"The work of local food banks and organizations, such as Le Grenier des Collines and the Table de développement social de la Vallée-de-la-Gatineau, is essential in our fight against food insecurity. We remain committed to supporting stakeholders in their efforts to help the people of Pontiac put food on their plates, and that is what Budget 2023 is doing."

- Sophie Chatel, Member of Parliament for Pontiac

"Our organization has experienced a dramatic increase in requests for food assistance over the past few years. Thanks to LFIF funding, we were able to purchase a cold room and a refrigerated van. These additions allowed us to increase our supply of fresh products, such as fruits and vegetables, and to offer home delivery service. Our services have become essential to meet the urgent needs of community members." 

- Marie-Pier Chaput, Executive Director, Le Grenier des Collines

Quick facts

  • On March 28, 2023, Canada’s Minister of Finance released Budget 2023: A Made-In-Canada Plan, which focuses on themes of: a strong middle class, an affordable economy and a healthy future. 

  • Budget 2023 outlines measures that will strengthen our food systems at every step and includes new investments that provide new, targeted inflation relief to the Canadians hardest hit by rising food prices.

  • The Local Food Infrastructure Fund (LFIF) is a 5-year, $70-million initiative, ending on March 31, 2024. It was created as part of the Government of Canada's Food Policy for a healthier and more sustainable food system in Canada. 

  • The federal government continues to work with Indigenous partners to advance reconciliation and is making significant investments to respond to the unique histories, interests, and priorities of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities. To date, the LFIF has supported 188 projects led by Indigenous organizations for up to $22.1 million in approved funding. 

Associated links

Contacts

For Media:

Simon Lafortune
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
simon.lafortune@agr.gc.ca
1-343-549-0778

Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-773-7972
1-866-345-7972
aafc.mediarelations-relationsmedias.aac@agr.gc.ca
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