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e-5028 (Food and drink)

E-petition
Initiated by Melissa Matlow from Toronto, Ontario

Original language of petition: English

Petition to the Government of Canada

Whereas:
  • Animal agriculture is responsible for 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions;
  • Canadian agriculture sector emissions have grown significantly, mostly from farmed animals, exceeding all other sectors except oil and gas;
  • Canadian Climate Institute found animal production to be the most emission intensive sector.
  • Canada’s Environment Commissioner found Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada failed to develop a meaningful climate strategy, having achieved less than 2% of its climate target;
  • The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change recommends plant-based diets for addressing climate change stating without a drastic change in our consumption patterns, global climate targets will not be met;
  • Chatham House describes plant-based diets as one of three levers of change to reduce land pressures that accelerate biodiversity loss and extinction;
  • Navius Research found if Canadians reduced animal food consumption by 50% by 2030 it would reduce emissions by 16% or 13.5 Mt, enough for Canada to meet its climate targets; costing 11% less to comply compared to other available options;
  • Several universities, hospitals and cities have plant-focused menus to reduce emissions; and
  • Canada is a global leader in the growing plant-based proteins sector, presenting a significant opportunity for clean growth and transitioning agriculture toward a net zero economy.
We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to:
1. Educate Canadians on benefits of eating less meat, dairy, eggs and more plant-based foods in keeping with Canada’s Food Guide;
2. Require federal institutions and federally funded food programs (eg; National School Food Program) to procure more plant-based foods; and
3. Limit growth of industrial animal agriculture and support small-scale farmers using resilient, humane, sustainable farming practices.
Open for signature
June 10, 2024, at 3:29 p.m. (EDT)
Closed for signature
October 8, 2024, at 3:29 p.m. (EDT)
Photo - Laurel Collins
Victoria
New Democratic Party Caucus
British Columbia