Toronto (Rural Roots Canada) – A report by the Canadian Centre for Food Integrity (CCFI) finds Canadians are becoming increasingly divided in their perception of the national food system.
The CCFI 2024 Public Trust Research finds that 31% of Canadians believe the food system is on the right track, representing a three-point drop from last year. Meanwhile, 29% believe the system is moving in the wrong direction. This marks the first time in nearly a decade that public opinion is almost completely split on whether Canada’s food system is improving.
Public concern over food prices has eased slightly, with 51% saying it remains a top issue. It’s a three-point improvement over last year. However, positive perceptions of the food system are down, with only 45% holding a favourable view, a seven-point drop from 2023. Negative impressions increased sharply, up to 18%, compared to last year’s 11%.
“This research makes it clear that public trust in Canada’s food system is facing some challenges,” said Ashley Bruner, Director of Research and Stakeholder Engagement at CCFI, in a release. “With public sentiment becoming increasingly polarized, indifference has emerged as a threat to public trust. Negativity and cynicism are gaining ground faster than both positive and neutral views, underscoring the urgent need for the industry to engage more meaningfully with Canadians,” she concluded.
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Trust and transparency among many stakeholders are also on the decline. The agri-food sector remains among the most trusted industries in Canada, but it comes with higher public expectations for accountability, sustainability, and transparency. While many Canadians understand its importance, they are scrutinizing it more than ever.
Lisa Bishop-Spencer, Executive Director of CCFI, highlighted the importance of collective action and making industry voices heard.
“These findings reflect what some of our stakeholders have also started to see and hope to address,” explained Bishop-Spencer. “The timing is right for us to combine our efforts and work together to elevate the Canadian food system and all its players. CCFI is uniquely positioned to bring together the entirety of Canada’s food system to support a coordinated approach in addressing these challenges.”
She added we’ve reached a pivotal moment for the food system and its members, from farmers and ranchers to governments and retailers and all the other stakeholders. “We must unite to ensure that Canada’s food system remains something that Canadians care about and are compelled to engage with.”
You can download a free summary of the report by clicking here.