Abstract
In an effort to think about innovative and comprehensive federal food and agricultural policies, this commentary offers some insight into Québec’s integrated agricultural policy framework. In theory, key operating principles such as the precautionary principle, multifunctionality and subsidiarity integrate health, social, rural and environmental goals and therefore might contribute to a joined up and healthier food system.
Highlights
Under existing policy frameworks in Canada, provincial and territorial governments are granted a certain degree of autonomy over social, health, and agricultural policy and spending
We have focused our commentary on three key operating principles that have been integrated, to varying degrees, into Québec’s agricultural policy – the precautionary principle, multifunctionality and subsidiarity – thereby providing opportunities for linking agricultural and food policy processes more effectively
Agricultural policy must integrate across health, social, rural and environmental mandates
Summary
Under existing policy frameworks in Canada, provincial and territorial governments are granted a certain degree of autonomy over social, health, and agricultural policy and spending. This makes the institutional landscape quite uneven in many areas that are relevant to a “joined-up” food policy. Alison Blay-Palmer (2012) points to three supporting principles: the precautionary principle; multifunctionality, which seeks to support both economic and noneconomic outcomes of agriculture (environmental, rural, social); and, subsidiarity, “defined as appropriately scaled policy and interventions” (p.41) In this commentary, we explore ways in which Québec has integrated these operating principles in its policies and funding schemes. This commentary, discusses how Québec’s unique approach in the Canadian context might provide lessons to build more integrated approaches to agriculture and rural policies
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