2021 Federal Election
Find out how candidates in Ottawa responded to our survey on Good Food

Much as we had done during the 2019 Federal Election, the Ottawa Food Policy Council sent a letter to all candidates in the Ottawa region with the goal of bringing Good Food to the table as a priority in the House of Commons for the upcoming term (2021-2025). The OFPC has again asked candidates to answer questions regarding their incorporation of Good Food in their platform and to champion policy- and decision-making that prioritizes Good Food in Canada. We invite you to review candidate responses and vote for candidates who will promote Good Food Systems for All.

→ Click here to view all candidate responses

We received responses from the following ridings and candidates, listed by riding and then in order of when we received the response:

Kanata-Carleton (Melissa Coenraad, NDP; Jennifer Purdy, Green)
Ottawa Centre (Shelby Bertrand, Animal Protection; Angela Keller-Herzog, Green; Angella MacEwan, NDP; Yasir Naqvi, Liberal; Alex McDonald, Communist)
Ottawa South (Les Schram, Green)
Ottawa-Vanier (Lyse-Pascale Inamuco, NDP)

If candidates you are interested in voting for are not listed above, please contact them and ask them to fill in the OFPC Good Food survey, as their responses matter to your vote.
Here is a listing of candidates in Ottawa by riding and here is the letter we sent them.

Past Letters

2019 Federal Election – Find out how candidates in Ottawa responded to our survey on Good Food

The Ottawa Food Policy Council sent a letter to all candidates in the Ottawa region with the goal of bringing Good Food to the table as a priority in the House of Commons for the upcoming term (2020-2024). The OFPC asked candidates to answer questions regarding their incorporation of Good Food in their platform and to champion policy- and decision-making that prioritizes Good Food in Canada. We invite you to review candidate responses.

→ View all candidate responses

We received responses from the following ridings and candidates:

Carleton (Chris Rodgers, Liberal; Gordon Kubanek, Green; Kevin Hua, NDP)
Ottawa-Vanier (Mona Fortier, Liberal; Paul Durst, People’s Party; Oriana Ngabirano, Green)
Ottawa-Centre (Angela Keller-Herzog, Green; Catherine McKenna, Liberal; Emilie Taman, NDP)
Kanata-Carleton (Jennifer Purdy, Green)
Orléans (Jacqui Wiens, NDP)
Pontiac (Claude Bertrand, Green)

OFPC Letter to Candidates – Municipal Election 2018

Starting on May 1st, 2018, individuals were able to register as a candidate for the 2018 Municipal Elections which will take place on October 22, 2018. As a result of campaigns officially being launched, the Ottawa Food Policy Council sent and will continue to send a letter to candidates, as they are registering, to bring food onto their plates in the hopes of this becoming a priority for the upcoming City Council term (2018-2022).

In this letter, the OFPC highlighted that food is an important issue that should be on City Council’s agenda, and that a food systems approach to thinking about policy is the best way to address the magnitude of food issues and many others that we are experiencing in our community.

After having sent the letter, we sent candidates a checklist of priority food issues in the City of Ottawa, and have received responses from many of the candidates.

Key points highlighted in the letter:

We believe that access to Good Food for residents within the City of Ottawa should be a priority for City Council candidates
Political decision making should be made through a food systems lens
We would expect careful consideration as to how Good Food and food production are being incorporated into our communities and how our future food systems will be shaped in the future renewal of Official Plans.

Get informed before casting your ballot! Provincial Elections are June 7th, 2018

The provincial election is coming up on June 7th and it’s time to make sure you’re informed for to cast your ballot!

With the Ontario Election in mind, Sustain Ontario has launched a campaign for Good Food and Farming Ideas for Ontario so you can Vote ON Food & Farming.

You can also review the responses to questions asked by the National Farmers Union of Ontario to key political parties in the Province here.

OFPC Response to Consultation: A Food Policy for Canada

Between May 29th and August 31st, 2017 an online survey was launched to consult with Canadians and give them the opportunity to contribute their beliefs about what was most important to them to be included in a National Food Policy for Canada.

During this consultation, the Ottawa Food Policy Council drafted a letter, in which they highlighted what they believed was important to be considered.

Actions:

Ottawa Food Policy Council drafted a formal response, to the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-food Canada, in which they highlighted what they believed was important to be considered in the National Food Policy(September 2017)

Recommendations:

Recommendation 1: Canadians need a food policy based on a systems approach
Recommendation 2: Canadians need a food policy governed with transparency, accountability, and free from conflict of interest
Recommendation 3: Canadians need a food policy that enhances literacy, health, and sustainability
Recommendation 4: Canadians need a food policy that increases access to food
Recommendation 5: Canadians need a food policy that respects their food sovereignty
Recommendation 6: Canadians needs a food policy that facilitates a safe and traceable food system

Questions or comments? Don’t hesitate to reach out: info@ofpc-cpao.ca