Michael Ignatieff’s Liberal Party has launched a new plan to create Canada’s first National Food Policy. The plan has five key principles, is built upon consultations with Canadians, and has been dubbed the beginning of a national conversation to develop a comprehensive National Food Policy.

I give the new Liberal direction a B-plus. It’s a good document and hits a lot of the right targets. But it could still use a little improvement in some key areas. And just to put my political biases on the table, I try not to favour any political party but I’ve learned that it serves all Canadians well to have political parties putting forward the best options they can envision.

Here are the Liberal plan’s five principles:

·         Healthy Living. A healthier Canada is founded on healthy eating, and understanding the role of food in our lives, our economy and our communities. Ensuring all Canadians --- including low-income families --- have access to affordable, healthy foods, will contribute significantly to addressing Canada’s healthcare challenges.

·         Safe Food. A strong National Food Policy must be built on a reliable foundation of food safety. Institutions must be well-coordinated to monitor Canada’s food system, and imported foods must meet our tough domestic standards to help minimize threats to food safety.

·         Sustainable Farm Incomes. Canadian farmers produce the highest quality foods in the world. A National Food Policy must do more to build long-term, sustainable farm incomes, inform Canadians about the value of food and promote the high-quality foods made right here at home.

·         Environmental Farmland Stewardship. Canada must continue its efforts to improve the ties between our food production system and our environment and invest in clean energy and sustainable farm practices.

·         International Leadership. Canada must strengthen its international brand as a producer of the highest-quality foods in the world, and lead the global effort to foster food security in Africa and many of the world’s poorest nations.

The plan hits a lot of the right areas. I’m pleased with an emphasis on ensuring that imported food meets Canadian standards and the push to promote local food. Also, it’s good to see an emphasis on flexibility in safety net programs to meet the diverse needs of provinces. Finally, it’s good to see that the Liberals are focusing on strengthening the Environmental Farm Plan and pushing for food security among the world’s most vulnerable nations.

But the Liberal plan falls short in discussing the nitty-gritty details required to maintain a buoyant farming sector. For example, the harder to define aspects of a viable agricultural system, such as maintaining and developing strong marketing structures and enhanced cooperation, barely rate a mention. But that may be an oversight on my part or contained in some other element of Liberal strategy.

Ignatieff appears to have a keen appreciation of the needs and value of rural Canada. My hope is that the Liberal plan builds upon that appreciation and is improved. But seeing a commitment to a National Food Policy shows positive leadership and is a good start for both consumers and farmers. Let’s hope they can improve their grade from a B-plus to an A.

John Clement is the General Manager of the Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario. The CFFO Commentary represents the opinions of the writer and does not necessarily represent CFFO policy. The CFFO Commentary is heard weekly on CFCO Chatham, CKNX Wingham, Ontario and is archived on the CFFO website: www.christianfarmers.org/index.html. CFFO is supported by 4,353 family farmers across Ontario.