The Liberal government’s Local Food Act is flawed, argues B.
James Deaton, an assistant professor at the University of Guelph.
First, he says requiring public institutions to buy local
food, meaning anything produced in Ontario, will add to the paperwork burden because
they will have to keep track of their purchasing. I figure that will more than wipe out any potential or elusive savings from buying local. On the other hand, sellers hope to sell at a premium.
And the province will need to audit compliance and check to
make sure the institutions are meeting the government’s standards and
aspirations.
Second, he warns that other provinces may follow suit with
their own legislation to encourage public institutions to buy local foods
whenever possible.
I notice the frequent boasts of Ontario agriculture ministers that the province's agriculture is one of the
most diversified in Canada. Ontario producers and processors also supply all of the major national supermarket
chains. How much are we willing to lose from other provinces' buy-local campaigns and legislation?
Third, he asked whether “such an effort (is) worthy of
government action and public money."
He says one of the roles of government is to “influence the
economy” and says “in this regard, policy-makers should carefully
consider both the potential benefits as well as potential losses.
“From this standpoint, we wonder if the act
serves the broad public interest.”
I would be more restrictive in the mandate I would assign to government. It ought to ensure the honesty and integrity of the marketplace with policing to ensure accurate weights and measurements, ensure food is wholesome, root out fraud and safeguard public health. Beyond that, I think consumers ought to be able to look out for themselves.
So, where were the troops while Butch Claire of Aylmer Meats was butchering deadstock, where are they now as egg graders fill their cartons with undergrades, where are they when poultry processors beg for chickens to satisfy their customers, where are they when consumers want to buy locally-processed Chobani Greek yogourt, why are they unable to shut down Michael Schmidt and his risky raw milk - and the list goes on and on.
Too many of them are busy drafting buy-local legislation and campaigns and doling out grants to start or expand farmers' markets.
Deaton's views were outlined in an article he wrote
for the Toronto Star, Canada’s largest-circulation daily newspaper.
