Canadian Food Security Policy Group

The WTO's Agreement on Agriculture (AoA) has had dramatic impacts on developing countries since agriculture is such a crucial issue for the poor. Through the Canadian Food Security Policy Group, CCIC examines the impact of international trade rules on agriculture and food security in developing countries. 

Select one of the categories on the left, or visit our Archives section for past documentation.

Discussion paper: Strengthening Canada's contribution to global food security:learning from Canadian civil society's field experiences. (May 2011) (PDF 269 Kb)

Policy Brief: A Comprehensive National Food Policy: Strengthening Canada's Place in the World (November 2010) PDF 245 kb

Policy Brief: Building an Effective Canadian Food Strategy (September 2009) (PDF 119 Kb)

Letter to the Prime Minister on a whole-of-government strategy to address the global food crisis (March 2009) (PDF 37 Kb)

Pathways to Resilience: A Food Security Policy Group Discussion Paper – This document is the result of our efforts to collectively examine how the work of our partners in the South might inform Canada's response to the Global Food Crisis in a way that acknowledges the central role of smallholder agriculture and its long-term sustainability and resilience. A series of seven case studies is now available to accompany this discussion paper. (November 2008) (PDF 282 Kb)

The accompanying case studies have been prepared by individual members of the FSPG: 

Honduras – Growing Resilience: Seeds, Knowledge and Diversity in Honduras (USC Canada) 

India – Deccan Development Society: Alternative Public Distribution System (Inter Pares) 

Zambia – Integrated Food Security in Zambia: building paths towards resilience (CARE Canada) 

Malawi – Nurturing Soils, Crops and Communities (Canadian Foodgrains Bank) 

Kenya – Sand Dams in Kenya (Mennonite Central Committee) 

Nigeria – Climate Change Adaptation Goes Soap (Farm Radio International)

Policy Brief:  Canada and the Global Food Crisis (November 2008) (PDF 33 Kb)

Effective Aid for Small Farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa: Southern Civil Society Perspectives.
In mid-2006, the Canadian Food Security Policy Group sponsored a series of independent research studies of priorities for aid to agriculture and the Canadian International Development Agency's (CIDA) bilateral supported initiatives in agriculture and rural development in three Sub-Saharan African countries -- Ethiopia, Ghana and Mozambique. The purpose of this research was to inform a dialogue in Canada on increasing the amount and effectiveness of CIDA's aid for agriculture in reducing poverty.

• Combined Report of the case studies in Ethiopia, Ghana and Mozambique (January 2007) (PDF 166 Kb)
• Summary Report of the case studies in Ethiopia, Ghana and Mozambique (January 2007) (PDF 48 Kb)
• Ethiopia Case Study (November 2006) (PDF 153 Kb)
• Ghana Case Study (December 2006) (PDF 224 Kb)
• Mozambique Case Study (December 2006) (PDF 251 Kb)

Making the Doha Development Agenda Win-Win for Farmers in Canada and the South – Canadian Food Security Policy Group letter to the Honourable James Peterson, Minister for International Trade (June 2005) (2 Mb)

Sustainable Farm Livelihoods Conference Report now available – Report of the May 2005 conference and learning exchange "Sustainable Farm Livelihoods North and South – Policy Options Under Threat at the WTO". (May 12-18, 2005) (PDF 143 Kb)

Principles for International Agricultural Trade Rules and Joint Demands for the Doha Agenda-- Joint Declaration from Sustainable Farm Livelihoods, North and South – Policy Options under Threat at the WTO, a Roundtable and Learning Exchange. 
(May 18, 2005)

Taking the Heat: African Farmers and Climate Change

What is the human face of climate change in Africa? How are small scale farmers adapting to changes in the climate? What solutions can Africans offer? How might Canadians learn from and assist these communities? The "Taking the Heat" videos address these questions.

The videos come out of a series of events with Southern partners, elected officials, policy-makers and the Canadian public. The "Taking the Heat" videos were produced by the Canadian Coalition for Climate Change and Development and the Canadian Food Security Policy Group.

Check out the videos.

Taking the Heat – Part 1

Taking the Heat – Part 2