People need to be able to grow food in Ottawa if they want to!

Proposed bylaw will have a direct and negative impact on food security in our city, says Ottawa Food Policy Council

Call your Councillor by Wednesday June 21 at 6pm: Find their contact information here!

What’s going on?

The City of Ottawa has prepared a report outlining the proposed updates to the Use and Care of Roads By-law 2003-498 to permit residents to plant in the right-of-way (ROW) in front of their homes.
The Transportation Committee originally requested this comprehensive bylaw review on May 4, 2022. This review has not been comprehensive, despite having plenty of time to gather information surrounding growing food and planting trees in the ROW.
The proposed changes were intended to address our City’s climate change and environmental goals but they do not address the ongoing, increasing food security crisis.

Click here for more information on how to get involved!

Press Release:

2022 Ottawa Municipal Election Survey on Good Food

Food Policy Issues Affecting our City; How will your candidates champion good food in our City

The mission of the Ottawa Food Policy Council (OFPC) is to work towards a food system in Ottawa that emphasizes social and economic viability, and environmental sustainability through the entire food cycle and in which food is celebrated and enjoyed.

With prices and food insecurity making headlines almost daily, we believe that Ottawa residents should know how their City Council and Mayoral, and School Board Trustee candidates will champion Good Food during their term as elected officials. We have worked with partner organizations to develop a short survey for Candidates to show how they will be leaders in our City when it comes to key food policy issues affecting residents.

OFPC will post the results of the Survey on our Website and invite voters to consider what food policy issues matter most before they cast their votes.

For more information please visit the OFPC website at www.ofpc-cpao.ca and follow us on Twitter – @OttawaFPC

See responses from candidates for the 2022 Municipal Election here.

The Ottawa Food Policy Council is comprised of individuals representing all aspects of the food system to enable a broader and more coherent discussion and elaboration of policies related to food in the Ottawa region.

Our Mission

Our Values

We value social justice and equity.
We value health and wellbeing.
We value social, economic, and environmental sustainability.
We value social diversity and inclusivity.
We value education about food and food systems.
We value collaboration.
We value planning that supports long-term sustainability and ready access to food.

These values were outlined in the Food For All Values document developed through community discussion and consultation, and refined by the Food for All Steering Committee.

Role and Scope

To analyze and monitor policy using a system-wide food lens that takes into account the rural and urban reality of the Ottawa region.
To develop and propose evidence-based food policies for the Ottawa region.
To connect and synthesize the work of various groups, perspectives, and sectors.
To enable public participation, liaise with community leaders, and consult with relevant groups in the policy process.
To identify critical issues for further research, and to facilitate and disseminate the research and findings through liaising with existing researchers and networks in Ottawa.
To cooperate with decision-making bodies in Ottawa, including the City of Ottawa, the Ottawa Board of Health, the National Capital Commission, the four school boards, community organizations, businesses, and others, in implementing comprehensive food policies.
To advocate food policy by increasing public awareness through communication with community groups and via formal delegations to decision-making bodies.

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