Arlene Dickinson Sounds Alarm on Food Security as a Critical Issue for Canada

In a recent LinkedIn post, Arlene Dickinson sounds a stark alarm about the urgent need for Canada to prioritize food and water security, framing it as the defining issue of our generation. Dickinson emphasizes that the naive assumption of readily available goods, a sentiment common post-COVID, is no longer tenable as global supply chains face unprecedented disruption.

According to Dickinson, the world is in a state of significant shift, exacerbated by geopolitical events. She points to the US trade war as a major wake-up call, noting the immense stress on Canadian farmers and the long-term market positions being lost. Furthermore, wars in Ukraine and the Middle East are reshaping global food and energy landscapes, which Dickinson predicts will lead to worsening impacts before any improvement is seen.

“Over the past 20 yrs we abandoned food processing and manufacturing, shipping our raw ingredients to other countries to finish and commercialize. We handed all that last mile of commercialization value away to other nations. That was a big mistake and we need to reverse it now.”

The Strategic Importance of Domestic Food Production

Dickinson argues that Canada possesses extraordinary assets, including abundant fresh water and suitable land, capable of feeding not only its own population but a significant portion of the world. She criticulates the past 20 years of focusing on other sectors while neglecting the agricultural industry, which she deems critical for national survival.

Reversing the Trend of Outsourcing

A key point raised by Dickinson is Canada’s past decision to offshore food processing and manufacturing. She states:

“We’ve got nearly 20% of the world’s fresh water. We’ve got the soil, the climate and the talent to feed not just ourselves but much of the world.”

This strategic error, in Dickinson’s view, handed away valuable commercialization opportunities to other nations and needs immediate reversal. She champions investing in Canadian farmers, local producers, and domestic food manufacturing as a matter of national strategy and sovereignty.

Food Security as a Foundation for National Strength

Dickinson asserts that a nation’s ability to feed itself is directly linked to its overall security. She calls for the “Buy Canadian” movement to extend far beyond current global disputes, advocating for its long-term sustainability.

“A country that can’t feed itself has no real security.”

She also highlights the wisdom of Indigenous peoples in land and water stewardship, suggesting it’s a practice Canada should learn from. Dickinson connects food and water security to fundamental aspects of national defense, education, and individual well-being, stating that without these basic needs met, a nation becomes dependent on external forces for its sustenance and faces increased vulnerability.

Ultimately, Dickinson concludes that securing food and water is paramount for national independence, health, and the capacity to face future challenges, making it the most critical issue facing Canadians today.