With food prices continuing to climb and food insecurity becoming more prevalent across our province, the NL NDP is releasing the Private Members’ Resolution they will introduce in the Fall sitting of the House of Assembly calling on government to establish an All-Party Committee to examine the grocery industry in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The committee would examine ways to strengthen our food supply, support local producers and businesses, and improve access to affordable groceries across Newfoundland and Labrador. NL NDP Leader Jim Dinn (St. John’s Centre) says the need for this work is urgent.
“Every few months, new reports show that more people in our province, especially children, are either food insecure or at risk of becoming food insecure,” said Dinn. “We cannot wait until this becomes an even larger crisis before taking action.”
“The NDP has a proven track record of bringing parties together to tackle complex issues through All-Party Committees. We saw that with the committee on mental health and addictions and with the committee that explored a guaranteed basic income and laid important groundwork for a future pilot project in our province,” Dinn continued. “This resolution calls for the same collaborative approach. By bringing members of all parties to the table, we can examine the challenges, develop practical solutions, and put a plan in place before this grows into an even greater crisis for people in our province.”
This resolution will explore a range of ideas, including publicly owned grocery stores, as well as ways to expand local food production and strengthen our food security here at home. It would examine how we can better support farmers, create new jobs, grow local businesses, and ensure people have access to affordable, healthy food.
“We continue to see fresh ideas emerge on how to tackle food insecurity, including proposals from NDP Leader Avi Lewis and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. As we face ongoing trade uncertainty and the growing impacts of climate change on food production, we cannot afford to wait until this becomes a full-blown crisis. We need to come together, do the work now, and develop a plan that strengthens our food system and ensures every Newfoundlander and Labradorian has access to affordable, healthy food.”
A copy of the Private Members’ Resolution is attached.