Canada’s Food Security Strategy Targets Domestic Processing and Advisory Gaps

In June, Canada launched its first National Food Security Strategy, committing more than $3 billion over ten years to strengthen grocery competition, expand food processing, increase greenhouse production and modernise regulations. The plan seeks to raise the share of healthy food produced in Canada from 75 % to 85 % by 2032 and to double the value of greenhouse and indoor farming.

Critics say the strategy overlooks the extension and advisory services that help farmers adopt new tools, pointing to models in the Netherlands, France and Japan. Industry leaders such as New Protein International’s CEO Martin VanderLoo and chief development officer Graham Markham argue Canada is missing billions in GDP by exporting soybeans for processing abroad; they estimate up to $25 billion in annual growth could be unlocked by expanding domestic plant‑based ingredient manufacturing, including soy protein isolate production.