In April the Vancouver Food Policy Council sent out a food policy questionnaire to all Vancouver provincial standing nominees with the following questions:
1. The BC food system impacts public health, social well-‐being, community development, land use, education, economic prosperity, natural resources, public safety, and transportation in multiple ways. If elected, how will you advance and coordinate food systems initiatives across various ministries of provincial government?
2. Food insecurity is directly linked to the unacceptable rates of poverty in BC. If elected, would you commit to implementing a comprehensive poverty reduction plan with legislated targets and timelines within the next term of office? If yes, how would you do so?
3. One in six BC children lives in a food insecure household. Despite this, BC does not have a universal school food program for public school children. If elected, what would you do to ensure that school aged children have access to healthy meals and food literacy programming in school?
4. Indigenous food systems continue to be eroded through ongoing colonialism. Indigenous communities are raising concerns regarding the negative impacts of development and extraction projects on their ability to maintain traditional food practices. If elected, what measures would you commit to undertaking to ensure the protection and continuing revitalization of Indigenous food practices in BC?
5. The Agricultural Land Reserve is a long-‐standing public legacy that enables a viable agricultural sector and food security for future generations in BC. If elected, what government policies would you support to ensure the long-‐term protection, viability, and use of the lands in the Agricultural Land Reserve? What additional approaches would you take to foster a viable and sustainable local farming sector in BC?
6. The Climate Action Plan is B.C.’s roadmap to an emerging green economy for the province that outlines how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 33 per cent by 2020. If elected, how would you support adaptation and mitigation in the agriculture and food sector?
7. Food waste is an economic, social and environmental problem that occurs in all sectors the food system. If elected, how would you advance the reduction of food waste in BC
8. We know that neonicotinoid pesticides are toxic to bees and other insects that benefit our food system. If elected, would you commit to reducing the use of neonicotinoid pesticides across the province? If yes, what measures would you take to do so?
9. If elected, what other food issues or initiatives would you like to advance in the coming term?
You can read the responses we received below: