Dear editor:
Premier Doug Ford’s announcement about removing some agricultural land from the Greenbelt to provide housing for urban expansion is a forward-thinking mindset.
The misconception and propaganda by certain politicians, farm groups and lobby groups about food security is misleading and is having a detrimental and psychological effect on all Canadians, especially our youth.
According to federal government statistics, in 2021 Canada exported $82 billion in agricultural and food products.
We export half of our beef and cattle, 70 per cent of our soybeans, 70 per cent of our pork, 75 per cent of our wheat, 90 per cent of our canola, 95 per cent of our pulses (beans, lentils, peas) and 40 per cent of our food processing, the Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance says.
Canada is the fifth-largest exporter of agricultural products and seafood in the world, selling to more than 200 countries. More than 90 per cent of Canadian farmers are dependent on exports.
Therefore, we do not have food security problems (the ability to produce food) but have food insecurity (the ability to purchase food) due to financial constraints.
When was the last time you went to the grocery store and the following items were not plentiful: meats, produce, baked goods, canned goods etc.?
It is inconceivable that Canada, the second-largest country in the world, with a population of 40 million people, doesn’t have enough land to build houses.
Tony Giordano
NOTL