Summary#

This bill designates the Saturday before the first Monday in August each year as “Food Day in Canada.” It is a symbolic recognition day. The bill creates no programs, funding, or legal duties beyond naming the day (Section 2). It includes a short title clause (Short Title) and a preamble that states the purpose (Preamble).

• Establishes a recurring national day called “Food Day in Canada” (Section 2).
• Does not create a statutory holiday, paid leave, or required closures (Sections 1–2).
• No new regulations, taxes, or fees (Sections 1–2).
• Purpose is to celebrate local food and support connections from farms to tables (Preamble).

What it means for you#

• Households:

  • A new annual day to celebrate Canadian food on the Saturday before the first Monday in August (Section 2).
  • No automatic day off or service closures required by this Act (Sections 1–2).

• Workers:

  • No new paid holiday or overtime rules are created by this Act (Sections 1–2).
  • Work schedules are unchanged unless your employer chooses to mark the day.

• Businesses (farms, food producers, restaurants, retailers, markets):

  • May choose to run promotions or events tied to “Food Day in Canada,” but nothing is required (Section 2).
  • No reporting, certification, or labeling requirements are added (Sections 1–2).

• Local governments and community groups:

  • May host events or campaigns if they wish, but there is no mandate to do so (Sections 1–2).
  • No new compliance or enforcement duties (Sections 1–2).

• Schools and public institutions:

  • No curriculum or program requirements; any observance would be voluntary (Sections 1–2).

Expenses#

Estimated net cost: Data unavailable (no appropriations or mandates in bill text).

• No explicit appropriations in the Act (Sections 1–2).
• No tax, fee, or revenue changes (Sections 1–2).
• No new programs, staffing, or enforcement duties (Sections 1–2).
• Any promotional activities would be optional and are not required by the Act (Sections 1–2).

Proponents' View#

• Encourages Canadians to celebrate local food, which the preamble links to social, environmental, and economic well-being (Preamble).
• Signals support for local farmers and a sustainable food system without adding regulatory burden (Preamble; Sections 1–2).
• Creates a clear, recurring national focal point to connect farms and tables, which may help awareness and participation (Section 2; Preamble).
• Low implementation complexity and no new compliance costs because it only designates a day (Sections 1–2).
• Aligns with the idea that food safety and security are tied to national sovereignty, raising public attention to the food system (Preamble).

Opponents' View#

• Symbolic only; the Act sets a name for a day but does not fund programs or change policy on food security, farm supports, or affordability (Sections 1–2).
• No measurable targets, reporting, or evaluation requirements, so outcomes may be unclear (Sections 1–2).
• Could cause public confusion if people assume it is a statutory holiday, since the Act does not create any leave or closure requirements (Section 2).
• Opportunity cost: parliamentary time spent on designation rather than on substantive food system reforms (Sections 1–2).
• Any public promotion by governments or institutions would be optional and unfunded in the Act, leading to uneven observance across regions (Sections 1–2).