BILL NO. 59

(as introduced)

1st Session, 64th General Assembly
Nova Scotia
70 Elizabeth II, 2021

 

Private Member's Bill

 

Agriculture and Food Security Secretariat Act

 

Lisa Lachance
Halifax Citadel–Sable Island

First Reading: October 27, 2021

Second Reading:

Third Reading:

 

An Act to Establish
the Agriculture and Food Security Secretariat

WHEREAS Nova Scotia has experienced some of the highest rates of food insecurity in Canada;

AND WHEREAS it is a long-term environmental and economic objective of the Government of Nova Scotia to achieve food security and sustainable prosperity in Nova Scotia;

AND WHEREAS two of the commonly identified ways to achieve this objective are to increase spending on and support for locally produced food and to increase local food production;

AND WHEREAS policy and administrative responsibility for agriculture, food access and food-related matters is assigned to a number of Government departments;

AND WHEREAS it is desirable to co-ordinate the initiatives of Government, businesses, communities, farmers and food organizations with respect to agriculture and food-related matters;

THEREFORE be it enacted by the Governor and Assembly as follows:

1 This Act may be cited as the Agriculture and Food Security Secretariat Act.

2 In this Act, "Secretariat" means the Agriculture and Food Security Secretariat established under Section 3.

3 Subject to Section 7, there is hereby established, under the direction of the Deputy Premier, the Agriculture and Food Security Secretariat composed of representatives from the departments of

(a) Advanced Education;

(b) Agriculture;

(c) Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage;

(d) Community Services;

(e) Environment and Climate Change;

(f) Health and Wellness;

(g) Labour, Skills and Immigration;

(h) Municipal Affairs and Housing; and

(i) Natural Resources and Renewables,

and other individuals at the discretion of the Deputy Premier.

4 The objects and purpose of the Secretariat are to

(a) co-ordinate Government policy with respect to agriculture and food-related matters;

(b) develop a food strategy to achieve maximum local food production, food affordability and access by Nova Scotians of healthy food; and

(c) work towards obtaining food security and food justice in the Province, such that Nova Scotians have access to the food they need in adequate amounts and that food production, delivery and distribution systems in the Province facilitate this goal.

5 In carrying out its objects and purpose pursuant to this Act, the Secretariat shall consider

(a) the protection of agricultural lands;

(b) opportunities for access to agricultural lands;

(c) the anticipated effects of global climate change on crop production;

(d) opportunities for entry into the profession of agriculture;

(e) labour issues in agriculture and justice for migrant workers;

(f) challenges in food processing and distribution;

(g) the affordability of food;

(h) food safety;

(i) the fostering of organically produced food;

(j) the purchase and provision of food in public institutions;

(k) the development of publicly supported school food programs;

(l) food in child-care facilities;

(m) income assistance rates;

(n) provisions under the Health Act;

(o) food marketing;

(p) loans for food producers and distributors;

(q) the inspection and grading of food products;

(r) the care of farm animals;

(s) the production of liquor;

(t) the Canada Food Guide;

(u) pesticides;

(v) pollination by bees; and

(w) the municipal regulation of mobile canteens and food vending.

6 (1) The Secretariat shall, not later than six months after it has been established and annually thereafter, prepare and submit to the Deputy Premier a report containing information on the Secretariat's activities.

(2) Within 30 days of receiving the report referred to in subsection (1), the Deputy Premier shall