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Integrating sustainability transitions and food systems research to examine consultation failures in Canadian food policymaking

Ashley McInnes

Published 2019 in Journal of Environmental Policy and Planning

ABSTRACT

ABSTRACT Researchers have called for further integration of sustainability transitions theory into food scholarship. The objective of this paper is to integrate these bodies of literature by examining a Canadian case study, Growing Forward 2 (GF2) through the multi-level perspective. I argue that this framework is a valuable tool for explaining why Canadian policy consultation processes are consistently viewed as failures by civil society organizations (CSOs), and provide clarity on the barriers to CSO consultation in food policy development. Using qualitative analysis on expert witness statements in GF2 committee meetings, I found two key barriers within GF2. First, expert witnesses were predominantly from industry and producer groups, with limited and strategic CSOs invited to voice their suggestions. Second, witnesses were invited to speak on particular topics, resulting in policy based on pre-determined goals in support of the regime. I argue that these barriers provide voice to industry groups, and exclude CSOs from having their voices heard, suggesting that Canada will not transition towards a sustainable food system – as defined by CSOs – through existing policy channels. This article also contributes to analyses on the conflict between sustainable intensification and food sovereignty as it plays out in Canadian policy.

PUBLICATION RECORD

  • Publication year

    2019

  • Venue

    Journal of Environmental Policy and Planning

  • Publication date

    2019-06-05

  • Fields of study

    Political Science, Sociology, Environmental Science

  • Identifiers
    DOI 10.1080/1523908X.2019.1623656
  • External record

    Open on Semantic Scholar

  • Source metadata

    Semantic Scholar

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