The fiction of food security in Canada: A conversation with Josephine Grey

Appointed: A Canadian Senator Bringing Margins to the Centre

On this episode of Appointed, Kim speaks with Josephine Grey, an activist, human rights advocate, and community organizer who is well known for her work on healthy food security, human rights, climate action and basic income. Kim and Josephine discuss the illusion of food security in Canada; the social and economic barriers facing numerous communities in urban areas; Canada’s legal and societal commitments to food security; the ways in which food intersects with climate change; and the impact a guaranteed livable income could have for food security and healthy eating in Canada.

Josephine Grey is a long-time advocate and community organizer for healthy food security, human rights, climate action and basic income. In 1986, Josephine co-founded LIFT (Low Income Families of Toronto) and she was appointed as Canada’s Observer on Domestic Issues to the UN World Summit on Social Development by the Canadian federal government in 1995. Josephine works diligently to call attention to food insecurity, human rights, and climate action. She is currently involved in working towards the creation of sustainable communities by and for at risk youth and new Canadians, and the work being done to support a Guaranteed Basic Income in Canada.

This episode was recorded on October 26th, 2020. Stay tuned for the next episode of Appointed!

Resources mentioned during the show and further reading:

Learn more about the OASIS Food Hub here (http://www.oasisfoodhub.ca/)

Read the Eco-Just Food Network’s Open Letter here (https://ecojustfoodnetwork.org/)

Read Senator Pate’s perspective on guaranteed livable income here (https://sencanada.ca/media/366455/senpate_glibi-perspective-document_08-15-2020_e.pdf )

Learn more about the St. James Town Community Co-op here (http://stjamestowncoop.org/)

Learn more about the Conscious Minds Co-op here (https://www.consciousmindscoop.ca/)

Learn more about Local Food and Farm Co-ops Network (LFFC) here (https://www.localfoodandfarm.coop/)

Read Canada’s Codex Alimentarius here (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/food-nutrition/international-activities/codex-alimentarius.html) and its interdepartmental Committee on the Codex here (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/food-nutrition/international-activities/codex-alimentarius/delegations/terms-reference-interdepartmental-committee-codex.html).

Read an opinion piece on the Codex here (https://www.reality-choice.org/63/codex-alimentarius-more-evil-than-evil)

Read Canada’s Strategic Framework for Participation in the Joint FAO?WHO Food Standards Program here (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/food-nutrition/international-activities/codex-alimentarius/activities/canada-strategic-framework-participation-joint-who-food-standards-program.html)

What do we know exactly about urban agriculture’s environmental impacts? (https://urbanfoodfutures.com/2018/03/29/urban-agri-env-impacts/)

https://www.localfoodandfarm.coop/

https://www.nfu.ca/publications/tackling-the-farm-crisis-and-the-climate-crisis/