Feeding the crisis: The tariff toll on food insecurity – The Trade Hub
June 18, 2025
The past few years have been incredibly hard for many Canadians. The pandemic caused massive disruptions to the job market and the highest rates of inflation in decades, which was intensified by the war in Ukraine. And now comes a trade war with the U.S., with its own set of shockwaves, including job losses and supply-chain upheaval, sending the price of goods even higher. Many can’t keep up.
Today, one in four Canadians are experiencing food insecurity. That’s 10 million people—a level never seen before in this country.1 Ultimately, it’s an issue of affordability. There is an abundance of food available. But for an increasing number, it’s out of reach. In March 2024, more than two million visits were recorded at Canadian food banks. That’s a 90% increase in just five years.2 And food banks are a last resort, signalling how dire things have become. Properly supporting and resourcing food banks is critical. However, addressing food insecurity longer term, relies on building a stronger Canadian economy. This includes addressing the affordability crisis, improving productivity, and advancing durable economic development in Canada’s rural and remote areas.
