Mr. Speaker, food sovereignty is an extremely important issue for Canadians.
In Nelson, B.C., a conference was held recently to discuss the future of food.
The National Farmers Union convention this year focused on the issue of food security and democracy.
A few weeks ago, I attended an event in Russell, Ontario, where we learned that a strategy is being developed for food sovereignty in Quebec.
The president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture said we must take action or Canada will lose its food self-sufficiency.
The report of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food recommends that a national food policy be established that will help guarantee long-term food safety.
The response often given by government officials to food sovereignty is that our hands are tied because of trade obligations.
Other countries are putting the needs of their citizens first. It is time for Canada to develop a food policy that puts Canadian farmers and all Canadians ahead of any WTO, NAFTA or other trade obligations.