Ottawa city council approves plan to develop food security strategy

The Ottawa Food Bank warehouse is pictured in this image. (Peter Szperling/CTV News Ottawa)

Ottawa City Council has voted unanimously to approve a plan directing city staff to develop a strategy to tackle the root causes of food insecurity in the city.

The motion, moved by Alta Vista Ward Coun. Marty Carr and seconded by Orléans West-Innes Coun. Catherine Kitts, calls on city staff to “develop a strategy that will engage provincial and federal governments, other municipalities and community partners, including the Ottawa Food Bank network, Ottawa Community Food Partnership, Feed Ontario, and Food Banks Canada to address the root causes of food insecurity.”

The motion suggests the strategy involve advocacy to the provincial and federal governments to boost social assistance programs and index them to inflation and calls on the province to provide funding for organizations that addressing food insecurity. It also calls on the city to promote equitable hiring practices in city departments, embed anti-racism measures in workplace policies and culture, and to expand investments in “deeply affordable and supportive housing.”

The Ottawa Food Bank has been campaigning for a year to have governments bolster social assistance at a time when food bank use has been increasing.

“In the last year, the Ottawa Food Bank network saw a record 556,232 visits. Today’s motion offers hope for meaningful changes that will improve food security across Ottawa,” the Ottawa Food Bank said in a news release after the motion passed.

The motion will be shared with Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Prime Minister Mark Carney, all Ottawa MPs and MPPs and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.

“City council has passed a motion to tackle food insecurity by addressing its root causes, including income supports, housing, and decent work. Let’s keep working together at all levels of government to make life more affordable and reduce food insecurity in Ottawa,” Mayor Mark Sutcliffe said on social media after the motion passed.

The motion does not declare a formal food security emergency, as other municipalities in Ontario have done. Brockville, Smiths Falls, and Kingston have moved to declare emergencies in their respective areas when it comes to a lack of access to affordable food.

The Ottawa Food Bank says that while the motion does not declare a food insecurity emergency, it does respond to calls to advocate for systemic solutions to food access.

“The Ottawa Food Bank welcomes the City of Ottawa’s motion to address the root causes of food insecurity. We know that food insecurity is a symptom of poverty, and poverty is a result of policies and programs that have failed to support our communities. This motion formally affirms the City’s commitment to ending food insecurity in the city by working alongside the Ottawa Food Bank, 71 member agencies, and the communities we serve,” said Ottawa Food Bank CEO Rachael Wilson in a news release.

“We demand change and action on income programs, employment, and housing. Thank you to Ward 18 Alta Vista Councillor Marty Carr who tabled the motion and continues to be a champion of food security. We look forward to working alongside the City of Ottawa to demand policy and programmatic changes and bring meaningful change to our community.”

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