441-01099 (Foreign affairs)

• The wheat grown, and currently in storage, in Canada is either the property of the producers who grew it, or the grain exporting companies who have purchased it from producers. In the case of wheat owned by grain-exporting companies, contracts have already been signed for its sale. Even with some of  the wheat still owned by producers, grain companies are in discussions regarding its sale to prospective customers.

• That being the case, most wheat currently in storage in Canada has already been committed for sale to customers across the world.

• Canadian wheat is sold at a premium compared to wheat grown by many other countries in the world (e.g. Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan, and much of the wheat grown in the European Union). If Canada were to commit to sending Canadian wheat to countries mentioned in the petition, the Government of Canada would have to purchase it from producers at current market prices.

• Additionally, the majority of the countries listed in the petition purchase wheat with considerably lower protein levels than the high-protein wheat that Canada exports. Canadian wheat also has different functional characteristics (i.e. milling properties, dough development properties, and gluten characteristics) than lower protein wheats. In this context, millers and bakers in these countries will possibly not be familiar with how to use Canadian wheat in their processes, and will end up with products with vastly different properties than what citizens in those nations are used to (i.e. different product density, size, mouthfeel, etc.).

In 2021, as the global community called for increased climate ambition, Canada stepped up and announced a doubling of its international climate finance, from $2.65 billion (2015-2021) to $5.3 billion (2021-2026). To further strengthen its ability to help developing countries transition to low-carbon, climate-resilient, nature-positive, and inclusive sustainable development, Canada will continue to support women’s leadership and decision-making in climate action and ensure that at least 80% of climate projects integrate gender equality, in line with Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy.

The Government of Canada is committed to doing its part to address the global food crisis. Canada made significant new commitments to humanitarian food and nutrition assistance, including a record $650 million allocated in 2022. This was provided to key humanitarian food and nutrition UN and NGO partners to help provide life-saving services such as food assistance, emergency cash and vouchers, and ready-to-use therapeutic food used for emergency feeding of acutely malnourished children, as well as complementary water and sanitation and health interventions that support food security and nutrition outcomes. Food assistance, including nutritional interventions, is a key component of Canada’s humanitarian assistance. In fiscal year 2021/2022, Global Affairs Canada’s humanitarian assistance totaled $1.013 billion. Canada provides longer-term development assistance to address the root causes of hunger and build resilience in global agriculture and food systems for the poorest and most vulnerable. In 2021/2022, Global Affairs Canada disbursed $600 million to support projects that address vulnerabilities in food systems, including agriculture. This included $100 million to support small and medium-sized agri-food enterprise growth in Africa through the African Development Bank to increase food security.

In 2021/2022 Global Affairs Canada’s international assistance (both in humanitarian and longer-term development) to Pakistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Yemen, Afghanistan, Syria, the Sudan, Nigeria, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Zimbabwe, Haiti, Burkina Faso, and Yemen, totaled almost $1.2 billion, including $187 million to Afghanistan and $181 million to Ethiopia.

In line with international recommendations and best practices, Canada’s international food assistance is provided through financial contributions in lieu of food donations. Canada’s humanitarian partners purchase food and other assistance through independent and competitive procurement processes. Canada encourages its partners to increasingly source locally when possible. This approach can boost local economies and business development, while enhancing the food security and livelihoods of local farmers, including smallholders. This is also more responsive to those in need, and is often more cost and time effective than providing food.