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CLE WORKING PAPER SERIES

A Roof Over Our Stomachs: The Right to Housing in Canada and Its Implications for the Right to Food

Tasha Stansbury University of Ottawa Faculty of Law ThisworkingpaperseriespresentsnewresearchbyresearchersaffiliatedwiththeCentreforLawandtheEnvironmentattheAllardSchoolofLaw,UniversityofBritishColumbia.ThepapersareavailableontheAllardResearchCommons,https://commons.allard.ubc.ca/cle

WORKING PAPER NO. 3/2021

JULY 2021

Series editor: Stepan Wood

Centre for Law and the Environment Working Paper No. 3/2021

A Roof Over Our Stomachs: The Right to Housing in Canada and its

Implications for the Right to Food

Tasha Stansbury*

Abstract In2019,theCanadiangovernmentpassedtheNationalHousingStrategyAct,legislatingforthefirsttimeahumanrighttohousinginCanada.ThiswaslargelytheresultofpressurefromhousingadvocatestoalignCanada’slegislationwiththerighttohousingembeddedininternationalhumanrightsinstruments.Despitesimilarefforts,foodrightsadvocateshavenothadthesamesuccessinhavingtherighttofoodrecognizedinCanadianlaw.Thispaperconsidersthequestionofwhether,andhow,foodrightsadvocatescanusetheprocessofachievingalegislatedrighttohousingasamodelinpursuingthelegislationoftherighttofoodinCanada.Itobserveshowtherighttohousingwasobtained,whiledrawingparallelsanddistinctionstoright-to-foodadvocacy,toidentifypossibilitiesandpotentialhurdlesfortheachievementofalegislatedrighttofood.Keywords Righttohousing;righttofood;internationallaw;humanrights;Canada

Contents 1.Introduction...........................................................................................................................................................22.TheAchievementoftheRighttoHousinginCanada...........................................................................32.1Timeline............................................................................................................................................................32.2CommunicationfromUNSpecialRapporteurs...............................................................................42.3ResponseoftheCanadianGovernment..............................................................................................6

*LLMCandidate,UniversityofOttawaFacultyofLaw,[email protected],afteracompetitiveselectionprocess,atthe“EmergingVoicesinFoodLawandPolicy”paneloftheCanadianAssociationforFoodLawandPolicyVirtualannualmeeting,GoverningTerritorialFoodSystems:LegalObstaclesandOpportunities,hostedbytheCentreforLaw&theEnvironment,13-15May2021,http://foodlaw.ca/2021-conference.TheinitialdraftofthispaperwaswrittenasaCommunityServiceLearningprojectforFoodSecureCanada.TheauthorisnotdirectlyaffiliatedwithFoodSecureCanada,butwouldliketothankthemfortheopportunitytocompletethisresearch.TheideasexpressedinthispaperhavenotbeenformallyadoptedbyFoodSecureCanada.PleaseconsultFSC’swebsiteformoreinformationontheircurrentresearchandactioncampaigns.TheauthorwouldalsoliketothankHeatherMcLeod-KilmurrayandNadiaLambekfortheirguidance,andA/MandJ/Dfortheirendlesssupport.

WORKING PAPER 3/2021

Stansbury, A Roof Over Our Stomachs page 2

2.4Writing&SubmissionofDraftLegislation........................................................................................62.5TheNationalHousingStrategyAct.......................................................................................................7

3.TheProcessofLegislatingtheRighttoHousingasaModeltoLegislatetheRighttoFood73.1ACanadianUNSpecialRapporteur......................................................................................................83.2PoliticalClimateforChange..................................................................................................................103.3PotentialPathsForward........................................................................................................................11

4.HowWouldaFederalRighttoFoodAffectProvincial/TerritorialLegislationandPolicy?.......................................................................................................................................................................................124.1TheNationalHousingStrategy............................................................................................................124.2ApplicationtotheRighttoFood.........................................................................................................14

3.Conclusion............................................................................................................................................................15

1. Introduction

Sincethe1980s,accesstofoodinCanadahasbeenlargelyaddressedthroughacharity-basedmodel,relyingheavilyonnon-profitandcommunity-basedgroupslikefoodbanks,soupkitchens,andmealsharingorganizationstosupplementgovernmentsocialassistanceprogramsandhelpvulnerableindividualsaccessfoodinCanada.1However,datashowsthatmorepeoplearefoodinsecurethanareaccessingfoodcharities.2AccordingtoStatisticsCanada,asofMay2020,oneinsevenCanadianhouseholdswerelivinginfoodinsecurity,3butmostfoodinsecurehouseholdsinCanadadonotusefoodbanks.4Vulnerablecommunitiesinnorthernandremotecommunities,forexample,havelowerlevelsofaccesstofoodbanksingeneral,andoftendependonprivateandothercharitableaidforfoodsupport.5

This paper, based on a research question assigned to the author by Food SecureCanada,exploreshowashiftfromacharity-basedtoarights-basedmodeltoaddressfoodinsecuritymightpracticallybeachievedinCanada.Inparticular,theprocessrecentlyusedtogettherighttohousinglegislatedwillbeanalyzedandIwillexplorethepossibilitiesforapplyingitintheefforttogettherighttofoodlegislatedinCanada.6

1MarcFawcett-Atkinson,“Foodbanksaren’ttheanswertohunger,researcherssay”,Canada’sNationalObserver(8December2020),online:<www.nationalobserver.com>.2RachelLoopstraandValerieTarasuk,“TheRelationshipbetweenFoodBanksandHouseholdFoodInsecurityamongLow-IncomeTorontoFamilies”(2012)38:4CanadianPublicPolicy497at498.3StatisticsCanada,“FoodinsecurityandmentalhealthduringtheCOVID-19pandemic”(16December2020),online:<www150.statcan.gc.ca>.4Supranote2.5ReportoftheSpecialRapporteurontherighttofood,OlivierdeSchutter,UNHRCOR,22ndSess,UNDocA/HRC/22/50Add.1atpara7.6Althoughthereareargumentsagainsttherecognitionoftherighttofood,thesearenotdiscussedatlengthinthispaperasthesequestionsareoutsidethescopeoftheresearchquestion.Formoreonthisdebate,seeFoodandAgricultureOrganizationoftheUnitedStates,“TenDebatesontheRighttoFoodandSocialProtection:LearningfromIndia’sexperience”(2015),online:<http://www.fao.org/3/i4987e/i4987e.pdf>



TherightstofoodandhousingarebothembeddedinseveralinternationalhumanrightstreatiestowhichCanadaisaparty.Forexample,botharerecognizedintheInternationalCovenantonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRights(ICESCR)7andtheConventionontheRightsoftheChild(CRC).8Untilrecently,Canadahadnotexplicitlyembeddedtheserightsinitsdomesticlegislation.

In2019,however,CanadapassedtheNationalHousingStrategyAct(NHSA),legislatingarighttohousinginCanada.9Thiswaslargelytheresultofpressurefromhousingadvocates,includingtheUNSpecialRapporteurontheRighttoAdequateHousing,toalignCanada’sdomesticsystemwiththerighttohousingembeddedinseveralinternationalhumanrightsinstrumentsbindingonCanada.

Thispaperconsidersthequestionofwhether,andhow,foodrightsadvocatescanlooktotheprocessofgettingtherighttohousingonthebooksasamodeltopursueinseekingthelegislationoftherighttofoodinCanada.Itwillobservehowtherighttohousingwasachievedanditsconsequentimpactsonhousingpolicy.Itwillalsoexplorepotentialhurdlestobeovercomeduetothedivisionofresponsibilitiesbetweenfederalandprovincialgovernments.

2. The Achievement of the Right to Housing in Canada TheRighttoHousingCampaignrecognizesthattheachievementoftherighttohousinginCanadawasbasedonover30yearsofgrassrootsadvocacy,engagementwithUNhumanrightsbodies,andcourtchallenges.10Thispaperwilldealonlywiththeseriesofeventsfrom2017-2019directlysurroundingandleadinguptotheenactmentoftheNationalHousingStrategyAct.2.1 Timeline May2017: UNSpecialRapporteurCommunication#111November2017: NationalHousingStrategyunveiled,includingacommitmenttoenact

federallegislationsupportingtheStrategy12

andSamuelRWiseman,“TheDangerousRighttoFoodChoice”(2015)38:12SeattleUniversityLawReview1299-1315.7InternationalCovenantonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRights,16December1966,993UNTS13(enteredintoforce3January1976)atart11.8UNGeneralAssembly,ConventionontheRightsoftheChild,20November1989,UnitedNations,TreatySeries,vol1577,p3atart24(1)(c).9NationalHousingStrategyAct,SC2019,c29,s313.10NationalRighttoHousingNetwork,“RighttoHousingLegislationinCanada”,online:<www.housingrights.ca>.11MandatesoftheSpecialRapporteurontherightofeveryonetotheenjoymentofthehighestattainablestandardofphysicalandmentalhealth;theSpecialRapporteuronadequatehousingasacomponentoftherighttoanadequatestandardofliving,andontherighttonon-discriminationinthiscontext;theSpecialRapporteurontherightsofindigenouspeoples;andtheSpecialRapporteuronextremepovertyandhumanrights,UNHRCOR,16May2017,ALCAN1/2017.12Canada,MinisterofFamilies,Children,andSocialDevelopment,Canada’sNationalHousingStrategy,(Ottawa:CanadaMortgageandHousingCorporation,2018)at8.



June2018: UNSpecialRapporteurCommunication#2(followupto#1)13August2018: OpenlettertoJustinTrudeau14andDraftNationalHousingStrategy

Act15releasedSeptember2018: CanadianGovernmentresponsetoUNSpecialRapporteur

Communication1&216July2019: NationalHousingStrategyActenteredintoforce,recognizingthe

humanrighttohousing172.2 Communication from UN Special Rapporteurs On16May2017,aformalCommunication18wassenttotheGovernmentofCanadabytheUNSpecialRapporteurontherightofeveryonetotheenjoymentofthehighestattainablestandardofphysicalandmentalhealth(DainiusPuras),theUNSpecialRapporteuronadequatehousingasacomponentoftherighttoanadequatestandardofliving,andontherighttonon-discriminationinthiscontext(LeilaniFarha),theUNSpecialRapporteurontherightsofIndigenouspeoples(VictoriaLuciaTauli-Corpuz),andtheUNSpecialRapporteuronextremepovertyandhumanrights(PhilipAlston).

ThisCommunicationwasaresponsetoinformationsubmittedtotheSpecialRapporteursbymembersofcivilsocietyonhomelessnessinCanadaandhomelesscampsandvulnerablehouseholdsfacingevictionsinBritishColumbia.19TheCommunicationnotedthatalthoughtheproblemofhomelessnessisnotuniquetoCanada,twofactorsraisedparticularconcerns.First,Canadaisanaffluentcountrywhichhastheresourcestoendhomelessness.Second,increasinghomelessness,includingduringtimesofeconomicprosperity,appearedtobeatleastpartiallycausedbyafailuretorecognizehousingasafundamentalright.20ItnotedthatCanadahadfailedtorespondtoseveralrecommendationsfrominternationalhumanrightsbodies,includingarecommendationtodevelopandimplementanationalhousingstrategy.21

TheCommunicationreferredtopastrecommendationsmadebyapreviousUNSpecialRapporteurontherighttoadequatehousingwho,in2007,hadmadesimilarobservations,andhadalsocommentedontheparticularvulnerabilityofIndigenous

13MandateoftheSpecialRapporteuronadequatehousingasacomponentoftherighttoanadequatestandardofliving,andontherighttonon-discriminationinthiscontext,UNHRCOR,22June2018,OLCAN2/2018.14CanadianAlliancetoEndHomelessness,“OpenletterurgesPrimeMinistertomakegoodonhiscommitmenttotherighttohousing”,Newswire(18August2018),online:<www.newswire.ca>.15LeilaniFarhaetal,“NationalRighttoHousingStrategyAct–DraftLegislationforDiscussion”(20July2018),SocialRightsAdvocacyCentre,online:<www.socialrights.ca>.16LetterfromthePermanentMissionofCanadatotheUnitedNationsandtheWorldTradeOrganizationtothemandatesofTheSpecialRapporteurontherightofeveryonetotheenjoymentofthehighestattainablestandardofphysicalandmentalhealth;TheSpecialRapporteuronadequatehousingasacomponentoftherighttoanadequatestandardofliving,andontherighttonon-discriminationinthiscontext;TheSpecialRapporteurontherightsofindigenouspeoples;TheSpecialRapporteuronextremepovertyandhumanrights(28September2018),online:<www.spcommreports.ohchr.org>17Supranote8.18Supranote10.19Ibidat1.20Ibidat2.21Ibid.



womentohomelessnessanditsassociatedrisks.22Itadditionallyreferredtoa2016UNHumanRightsCommitteereviewofCanada,whichexpressedsimilarconcernsandmadesimilarrecommendations.23

TheCommunicationalsodrewattentiontocallsfornationalrights-basedhousingandanti-povertystrategiesinCanadawhich,alongwithUNrecommendations,hadbeenlargelyignoredbytheCanadiangovernment.24ThisincludedreferencestoreportsbytheSenateSubcommitteeonCities(2007-2009),theHouseofCommonsStandingCommitteeonHumanResources,SkillsandSocialDevelopmentandtheStatusofPersonswithDisabilities(HUMACommittee)(2010),andtheMentalHealthCommissionofCanada(2012).25Itthenreferencedtheoutcomesoflitigationintwocases:TanudjajaetalvCanadaetal(2013ONCA852)andVictoria(City)vAdams(2008BCSC1363).

IntheAdamscase,theGovernmentofCanadaarguedthatclaimsbyhomelesspeoplethattheirlackofadequatehousinginfringedtheirrightsunders.7oftheCanadianCharterofRightsandFreedoms(Charter)shouldbedismissedbecauseCanadaisnotboundbyanyinternationalagreementsthathavenotbeenimplementedintoitsdomesticlaw.26TheBCSupremeCourtfoundthat“whilethevariousinternationalinstrumentsdonotformpartofthedomesticlawinCanada,theyshouldinformtheinterpretationoftheCharter”.27TheOntarioCourtofAppealdismissedtheTanudjajacase,findingthattheappellant’sclaims,basedonCanada’sfailuretotakeeffectiveactiononhomelessness,didnotamounttoajusticiableChartersection7challengedue,sincethereisnojusticiablerighttohousinginCanadaandthereforeno“sufficientlegalcomponenttoanchortheanalysis.”28

Theremainderofthe2017SpecialRapporteurs’CommunicationbrieflyprofiledthreecommunitiesfacinghomelessinBC.ItthenoutlinedCanada’sobligationsunderinternationalhumanrightslawontherighttohousing,particularlyundertheInternationalCovenantonEconomic,Social,andCulturalRights,29towhichCanadaisaparty,andrelatedGeneralCommentsonthefundamentalcharacteristicsoftherighttoadequatehousing,forcedevictions,anddemolitionsanddestructionsofproperty.30

Finally,theCommunicationcommendedtheCanadiangovernmentforcommittingtoimplementinganationalhousingstrategy,butrequesteditscommentaryonthecontentsoftheCommunication,includingaclarificationonwhetherthestrategywould“explicitlyrecognizetherighttoadequatehousing,referenceCanada’sinternationalhumanrightsobligations,andincludegoalsandtimelinesfortheeliminationofhomelessness,independentandtransparentaccountabilitymechanisms,andacomplaintsmechanismtoprovideaccesstojusticeforviolationsoftherighttohousing”.31

22Ibidat3.23Ibidat4.24Ibid.25Ibidat5.26Ibidat6.27Victoria(City)vAdams,2008BCSC1363atpara100. 28TanudjajavCanada(AttorneyGeneral),2014ONCA852atpara35.29Supranote10at13.30Ibid.31Ibidat17.



2.3 Response of the Canadian Government AtthetimeoftheCommunication,theCanadiangovernmenthadalreadycommittedtoimplementingaNationalHousingStrategy.32However,itwasunclearwhethertherighttohousingwouldbethebasisfortheStrategy,andwhetheritwouldincludeeffectivemethodsofremediationandenforceabilityaswellasexplicitreferencetointernationallegalobligations,whichwasthemainquestionregardingtheStrategyintheUNSpecialRapporteurs’Communication.

TheNationalHousingStrategywasunveiledinNovember2017.TheStrategydocumentmadeseveralmentionsofahumanrights-basedapproachbutdidn’texplicitlysaythatCanadawouldrecognizeandlegislatetherighttohousingbasedoninternationalhumanrightslaw.ThiswassomewhatclarifiedinanannouncementmadebyPrimeMinisterJustinTrudeauonNovember22,2017,whenhesaidthat“housingrightsarehumanrights[...]andwewillintroducelegislationtoensurethatfuturegovernmentscontinuetotakestepstoensureaccesstoaffordablehousing.”33

DespitethefactthatplanssuchastheStrategywerealreadyunderway,theCanadianGovernmentatthistimehadstillnotrespondedtotheSpecialRapporteurs’Communication.ItwasnotuntilMs.FarhasentanotherCommunication,dated22June2018,reiteratingthequestionsoutlinedintheinitialCommunicationandnotingthatshehadnotyetreceivedaresponse,thattheCanadianGovernmentfinallyrespondedtotheUN.

InarathershortresponsedatedSeptember28,2018,theCanadiangovernmentfinallystatedthatitwas“takingdefinitivestepstoprogressivelyrealizetherighttoadequatehousing.”342.4 Writing & Submission of Draft Legislation Meanwhile,throughout2018,ateamofkeyindividualscametogethertodraftaNationalHousingStrategylegislationwhichincorporatedtherighttohousing,inordertopresstheCanadianGovernmenttotakemoreimmediateandconcreteactiononputtingtherighttohousingintolaw.ThisteamincludedLeilaniFarha;AlexNeve,theformerSecretaryGeneralofAmnestyInternational;BrucePorter,theExecutiveDirectoroftheSocialRightsAdvocacyCentre;AnitaKhanna,theNationalDirectorofPublicPolicyandGovernmentRelationsatUnitedWayCentraideCanada;EmilyParadis,anacademic,activistandresearcheronissuesofhousingandhomelessnessattheUniversityofToronto;andTimRichter,thePresidentandCEOoftheCanadianAlliancetoEndHomelessness.35InAugustof2018,thisdraftlegislation36wasreleasedalongwithanopenlettertoPrimeMinisterTrudeau,signedbyover170organizationsandprominentCanadians,urgingthePrimeMinistertofollowthroughonhiscommitment.

32Supranote10at7.33PrimeMinisterofCanada,MediaRelease,“PrimeMinisterTrudeauunveilsCanada’sfirsteverNationalHousingStrategy”(22November2018),online:<www.pm.gc.ca>. 34Supranote15.35Supranote14.36Supranote13.



Ms.FarhasupportedthisopenletteranddraftedlegislationinhercapacityasUNSpecialRapporteurontheRighttoHousingandwasabletogetitintothehandsoftheMinisterofFamilies,ChildrenandSocialDevelopment,whohadbeenassignedresponsibilityfortheNationalHousingStrategy.372.5 The National Housing Strategy Act AlthoughtheexactdraftsubmittedbyMs.Farhaandherassociateswasnotadopted,theultimateNHSAincludedkeyelementsofthedraft,includingtherecognitionoftherighttoadequatehousingasafundamentalhumanrightaswellasexplicitreferencetointernationalhumanrightslawtoinformitsinterpretationandapplication,particularlytheInternationalCovenantonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRights38–anexceptionaloccurrenceinCanadianlegislation.

However,thereareconcernsthattheNHSAdoesnotsufficientlyaddresstherighttohousingasitisoutlinedintheICESCR.Inallformsofinternationalhumanrightslaw,Statespartieshavethreelevelsofobligations:torespect,toprotect,andtofulfilhumanrights.39GeneralCommentNo.9onthedomesticapplicationoftheICESCRclarifiesthatthisincludesanobligationtomakeavailableappropriateremediesto“anyaggrievedindividualorgroup,andappropriatemeansofensuringgovernmentalaccountability”.40

AlthoughtheNationalHousingStrategyActcreatesaReviewPanel,41thisPanelwillnothearcomplaintsfromindividualsabouthousingrights;onlyselectedsystemicissuesreferredbytheHousingAdvocatewillbeconsideredforreview.Thissystemisdesignedtobeefficientandtargetedtothemostimportantsystemicissuesbutdoesnotfulfiltheobligationunderinternationalhumanrightslawtomakeavenuesofredressavailabletoindividualsclaimingviolationsoftheirrights.

3. The Process of Legislating the Right to Housing as a Model to Legislate the Right to Food AccordingtoMs.Farha,theprocessoflegislatingtherighttohousinghadalottodowiththerightpersonbeingintherightplaceattherighttime,standingonthetremendousfoundationofworklaidbymanydomesticadvocatesovermanyyears.Thepoliticalclimateatthetimewasalsoidealforchange:theSpecialRapporteurs’CommunicationsappealedtothefairlynewTrudeaugovernment,whohadalreadycommittedtoformingaNationalHousingStrategy.Atthesametime,CanadaalsohadaninterestingettingontheUNSecurityCouncilandgettingmoreengagedininternationalhumanrights.42Ms.Farhanotedthattheprocessoflegislatingtherighttohousingwas“arealcombinationof

37AlexNeveandLeilaniFarha,“ESCRightsinFocus,HousingandHealth”,classlecture(2March2021),UniversityofOttawa.38Supranote8ats4.39UnitedNationsOfficeoftheHighCommissionerforHumanRights,“InternationalHumanRightsLaw”,online:<www.ohchr.org>.40CESCRGeneralComment9,UNESCOR,1998,UNDocE/C.12/1998/24atpara2. 41Supranote8ats16.1.42PrimeMinisterofCanada,MediaRelease,“PrimeMinisterannouncesCanada’sbigforanon-permanentseatontheUnitedNationsSecurityCouncil(16March2016),online:<www.pm.gc.ca>.



grassrootsandlocaladvocacyeffortsandafewkeypeopleinpoliticalpositionswhoweregametotryit”.433.1 A Canadian UN Special Rapporteur ThefactthatSpecialRapporteurFarhaisCanadianmayhavebeeninstrumentalinthisprocess.ShewasabletocommunicatedirectlywiththeCanadianGovernmentbasedonherpastinvolvementwithCanadianorganizationsworkingonhousingissues,asanextensionofherworkastheSpecialRapporteurbutalsooutsideofitsparticularparameters.ShewasalsoabletoparticipatedirectlyindraftinglegislationandtheninadvocatingforthedraftActtogovernmentrepresentatives.

Coincidentally,nowmightbetheperfecttimetoactonlegislatingtherighttofoodinCanada.ThecurrentUNSpecialRapporteurontheRighttoFood,MichaelFakhri,isaprofessorattheUniversityofOregonSchoolofLawbutisLebanese-CanadianandholdsdegreesfromthreeCanadianinstitutions.44AlthoughcurrentlyworkingattheUN,Mr.FakhricontinuestowriteonCanadianissues,includingCanada’sdelayinadoptingtheUNDeclarationontheRightsofIndigenousPeoples.45

FormerUNSpecialRapporteurontheRighttoFood,OlivierdeSchutter,visitedCanadain2012.InhisreporttotheUN,theSpecialRapporteurrecommendedthatCanadaformulatearights-basednationalfoodstrategyandadoptaframeworklawontherighttofood.46AccordingtoFoodSecureCanada,Mr.deSchutter’srecommendationswere“undiplomaticallydismissed”bytheCanadiangovernmentaftertheendofhisofficialmissionandreport.47

ThisvisitwasfollowedbyotherattemptstopushforfoodrightsinCanada.Around2015,SashaMcNicoll(formerlyofFoodSecureCanada)draftedaNationalFoodPolicyCouncilofCanadaAct,48withanexecutivesummaryforFSCarguinginfavourofanationalfoodpolicycouncil.49In2017,duringconsultationsforthefirsteverFoodPolicyforCanada,theGovernmentofCanadareceivedsubmissionsfromanAdHocWorkingGroupontheRighttoFoodintheformofanopenletter.50TheWorkingGrouprecommendedarecognitionofahumanrighttofood,arights-basedapproachinallareasofimplementationoftheFoodPolicyforCanada,benchmarkstowardsensuringtherealizationoftherighttofood,monitoringandaccountabilitymeasures,andclearstepstowardenshriningtherighttofoodinlaw.AsubsequentreportbytheCanadianGovernmentontheresultsoftheFoodPolicyconsultationsrecognizedthatparticipantssupportedtherecognitionoffoodasahumanrightsissueandthedevelopmentofright-to-

43Supranote36.44ADoctoratefromtheUniversityofToronto,aBachelorofLawsfromQueen’sUniversity,andaBachelorofScienceinEcologyfromWesternUniversity.45MichaelFakhri,“CanadaAvoidsIndigenousReconciliationandtheUNDeclarationontheRightsofIndigenousPeoples”(3July2019),EJIL:Talk!(blog),online:<www.ejiltalk.org>.46Supranote5atpara69.47“TheRighttoFoodinCanada”(2013),FoodSecureCanada,online:<www.foodsecurecanada.org>.48SashaMcNicoll,“NationalFoodPolicyCouncilofCanadaAct”,online:<www.foodsecurecanada.org>.49SashaMcNicoll,“MoreVoicesattheTable:TheCaseforaNationalFoodPolicyforCanada”,FoodSecureCanada,online:<www.foodsecurecanada.org>.50NadiaLambeketal,“EnsuringtheHumanRighttoFoodThroughAFoodPolicyforCanada:SubmissionstotheGovernmentofCanada”(30September2017),online:<www.foodsecurecanada.org>.



foodlegislationinCanada.51However,FoodPolicyforCanada,whenfinallyreleased,wassilentontheissueoftherighttofood.52

Atthetimeofthe2012visitfromSpecialRapporteurdeSchutter,CanadahadaConservativePartygovernmentunderformerPrimeMinisterStephenHarper.TheLiberalTrudeaugovernment’sinterestinbecomingmoreinvolvedininternationalhumanrights,andcommitmenttodoingsoinvariousways,wasinstrumentalinachievingtherighttohousing,asmentionedpreviously.Bycontrast,theTrudeaugovernment’sapparentresistancetoalsoimplementingrighttofoodlegislation,despitemultiplerecommendations,isdiscouraging.Well-timedinternationalpressureintheformofaUNSpecialRapporteurCommunicationcouldbeanimportantfactorincurrentattemptstohavetherighttofoodlegislated.

ThevisitofaUNSpecialRapporteurtoacountryonaregularmissioncircuitdoesnotprecludemembersofcivilsocietyfromsubmittingadditionalinformationtotheRapporteur,evenafterthatcountry’sgovernmenthasalreadydismissedUNfindings.Indeed,thepreviousUNSpecialRapporteurontheRighttoHousing,MiloonKothari,conductedamissiontoCanadain2007andmadesimilarrecommendationsaswererepeatedinthe2017Communication,includingtherecognitionoftherighttohousing.53ThatreportwasalsolargelyignoredbytheformerConservativefederalgovernment.

Onamoreencouragingnote,thecurrentLiberalgovernmentrecentlyproposedamendmentstotheCanadianEnvironmentalProtectionAct,1999(CEPA)toformallyrecognizethehumanrighttoahealthyenvironment.54BillC-28wentthroughitsfirstreadingattheHouseofCommonsonApril21,2021.TheintroductionofBillC-28isalsotheresultofyearsofworkbyseveralactorsandorganizationspushingforthisrighttoahealthyenvironment,includingaspartofthecomprehensivereviewofCEPAbytheStandingCommitteeonEnvironmentalandSustainableDevelopment.55ThisreviewincludedextensivetestimonybyDavidBoyd,thecurrentUNSpecialRapporteuronHumanRightsandtheEnvironment,56whoseworkalsolargelyformedthebasisforEcojustice’sadvocacyonthematter.57Thiscouldbeanothergoodsignstrongprecedentforthe

51AgricultureandAgri-FoodCanada,“WhatWeHeard:ConsultationsonAFoodPolicyforCanada”(2018),online:<www.agr.gc.ca>.52AgricultureandAgri-FoodCanada,“AFoodPolicyforCanada:EveryoneattheTable”(2019),online:<www.agr.gc.ca>.53ReportoftheSpecialRapporteuronadequatehousingasacomponentoftherighttoanadequatestandardofliving,andontherighttonon-discriminationinthiscontext,MiloonKothari,UNHRCOR,10thSess,UNDocA/HRC/10/7Add.3(2009)atpara88. 54CanadaBillC-28,AnActtoamendtheCanadianEnvironmentalProtectionAct,1999,tomakerelatedamendmentstotheFoodandDrugsActandtorepealthePerfluorooctaneSulfonateVirtualEliminationAct,2ndSess,43rdParl,2021.55Canada,MinisteroftheEnvironmentandClimateChange,“CanadianEnvironmentalProtectionActReview”(2018),online:<www.canada.ca>.56Canada,StandingCommitteeonEnvironmentandSustainableDevelopment,“HealthyEnvironment,HealthyCanadians,HealthyEconomy:StrengtheningtheCanadianEnvironmentalProtectionAct,1999”(Ottawa:HouseofCommonsCanada,2017).57EcojusticehasbeencampaigningforaconstitutionallyrecognizedrighttoahealthyenvironmentinCanadasince2012.Seetheirfulltimelineat<https://ecojustice.ca/case/right-to-a-healthy-environment/>.SeealsoKaitlynMitchell,PierreSadik,andMargotVenton,“RighttoaHealthyEnvironment”Ecojustice,online:<www.ecojustice.ca>,whichacknowledgesDavidBoyd’scontributions.



potentialofCanadianUNSpecialRapporteurstoinfluencetheadvancementofhumanrightsinCanada,includingtherighttofood.3.2 Political Climate for Change InCanada,wearenowatacomparablestageregardingtherighttofoodaswewereregardingtherighttohousingatthetimeoftheSpecialRapporteurs’Communication.ThecurrentLiberalgovernmenthascommittedtoaddressingtheissueoffoodsecuritybycreatingthefirsteverFoodPolicyforCanada.However,whilethePolicyaddressessomepressingissues,itmakesnospecificreferencetothehumanrighttofoodasitisunderstoodininternationalhumanrightslaw.58

TheCOVID19pandemichasstarklyhighlightedthefoodinsecurityandvulnerabilityofmanypeopleinCanada.Thismightbeanexcellenttimeforsignificantchange.Sincethebeginningofthepandemic,theGovernmentofCanadaprovided$200milliontotheEmergencyFoodSecurityFundtohelpfoodbanksandfoodsecurityorganizations.59StatisticsCanadaalsoreleasedahealthreportontheimpactoftheCOVID-19pandemiconfoodsecurityandmentalhealth,oneofthefirststudiestoexaminefoodinsecurityinthecontextofstressfulevents.60AstudybyCommunityFoodCentresCanadafoundthatthenumberoffoodinsecurehouseholdsincreasedby39%inthefirsttwomonthsofthepandemic.61Theissuehasalsobeendiscussedinternationally:forexample,theILO,FAO,IFAD,andWHOreleasedajointstatementontheimpactofCOVID-19onfoodsecurityandfoodsystems.62

MostofthediscussionaroundCOVID-19andfoodinsecurityhasnotincludedanymentionoftheimplementationoftherighttofood.However,inSeptember2020,SpecialRapporteurontheRighttoFoodMichaelFakhri’sreleasedhisfirstthematicreporttotheUN.63HehighlightshowtheCOVID-19pandemichasexacerbatedconditionsoffoodinsecurity,examinestherelationshipbetweenagriculturaltradepolicyandthehumanrighttofood,andsuggestsanewframeworkthatcouldsynthesizethetwohistoricallyconflictingdoctrines.Inafollow-upinterviewtothereport,hestatedthat“[the]pandemiciscreatingaprofoundeffectontherighttofoodandmaypushusintoaglobalhungercrisis”.64

58“Thelaunchofthefirst‘FoodPolicyforCanada–EveryoneAttheTable’”(2019),FoodSecureCanada,online:<https://foodsecurecanada.org>.59AgricultureandAgri-FoodCanada,“GovernmentofCanadarollingout$100MinaddedsupporttofoodsecurityorganizationsduringCOVID-10pandemic”,Newswire(18December2020),online:<www.newswire.ca>.60JaneYPolskyandHeatherGilmour,“FoodinsecurityandmentalhealthduringtheCOVID-19pandemic”,StatisticsCanada(16December2020),online:<www150.statcan.gc.ca>. 61CommunityFoodCentresCanada,“BeyondHunger:thehiddenimpactsoffoodinsecurityinCanada”(29September2020),online:<www.cfccanada.ca>.62ILO,FAO,IFADandWHO(jointstatement),“ImpactofCOVID-19onpeople’slivelihoods,theirhealthandourfoodsystems”,InternationalLabourOrganization(13October2020),online:<www.ilo.org>.63InterimReportoftheSpecialRapporteurontherighttofood,UNGAOR,75thSess,UNDocA/75/219(2020).64FoodandAgricultureOrganization,“UNrighttofoodexpert:COVID-19ispushingtheworldintoaglobalhungercrisis(summaryinterview)”(21September2020),online:<www.fao.org>.



3.3 Potential Paths Forward AlthoughpreviousattemptsatusingUNinfluencetopersuadetheCanadiangovernmenttoadopttherighttofoodhavelargelyfailed,nowmaybeanidealtimetotryagainbyaslightlydifferentroute,echoingtheprocessthatwasfollowedinsecuringtherighttohousinginCanada.

AdvocatesfortherighttofoodinCanadacouldsubmitaninformationtotheUNSpecialRapporteurontheRighttoFoodforhisconsiderationinthenearfuture.Althoughitisdifficulttopredicttowhatextent,SpecialRapporteurFakhri’stiestoCanadacouldbehelpfulinhisabilitytopropelarelevantCommunicationfurther,includinginfurtherdiscussionswithkeyactorsinthegovernment,asSpecialRapporteurFarhawasabletodo.

ThisinformationtotheSpecialRapporteurshouldcontainasmanydetailsaspossibleregarding:

• Thevulnerabilityfacedbyparticularcommunities,especiallyIndigenous

communities,duetothelackofalegislatedrighttofood;• AnyweaknessesintheFoodPolicyforCanadathatcouldbestrengthenedbya

legislatedrighttofood;• AnypastfailuresbyCanadatoguaranteetherighttofood,includingbutnotlimited

tocasesthathavebeenarguedinCanadiancourts;• AnyinternationalhumanrightsinstrumentstowhichCanadaisapartythat

includestherighttofood,including:o TheConventionontheRightsoftheChild(Article6);65o TheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationAgainst

Women(Article14(2)(h));66o TheInternationalCovenantonEconomic,Social,andCulturalRights(Article

11);67and• Canada’sfailuretotakesignificantactiononthe2012UNSpecialRapporteurreport,

andtheconsequencesthereof,notingparticularlyanyaspectsoffoodinsecuritywhichhaveworsenedsince2012.68

Righttofoodadvocatesandorganizationscouldalsobegintoorganizeindividualsableandwillingtodraftlegislationontherighttofoodassoonaspossible.Ideally,inordertomirrortheprocessforachievingtherighttohousingascloselyaspossible,thiswouldincludeindividualswithconnectionstothegovernment,particularlywithinthenew

65ConventionontheRightsoftheChild,20November1989,1577UNTS3atart6(enteredintoforce2September1990).66UNGeneralAssembly,UnitedNationsDeclarationontheRightsofIndigenousPeoples:resolutionIadoptedbytheGeneralAssembly,2October2007,A/RES/61/295atArt7.67InternationalCovenantonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRights,16December1966,993UNTS13atart11(enteredintoforce3January1976).68ThisshouldincludetheimpactsofCOVID-19onfoodsecurity.InadditiontotheStatisticsCanadareportcitedatnote3,seeforexamplediscussionoftheimpactofCOVID-19onfoodsecurityforlow-incomeworkersandpeopleofcolourinTorontoFoundation,TheTorontoFallOutReport:HalfayearinthelifeofCOVID-19(2020),online:<https://torontofoundation.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Toronto-Fallout-Report-2020.pdf>.



CanadaFoodPolicyAdvisoryCouncil.69ThiscouldbeinspiredbythedraftlegislationcreatedbySashaMcNicoll,70whichfullyrecognizestherighttofoodandcreatesmethodsforimplementationandaccountability.

4. How Would a Federal Right to Food Affect Provincial/Territorial Legislation and Policy? OtherthanrightsguaranteedbytheCanadianCharterofRightsandFreedoms,whichapplyeverywhereinCanada,rightsrecognizedbyfederallegislationdonotautomaticallyapplytomattersfallingunderprovincialjurisdiction.Federallegislationisonlyapplicabletoareasoffederaljurisdiction:forexample,federalCrownland,FirstNationsreserves,militarybases,andthenationalzonearoundOttawa.Thisdivisionofpowersisgovernedbysections91and92oftheConstitutionAct,1982.71

AfederalActcanintroduceorbeattachedtoaNationalStrategy,whichcanincludeopportunitiesforprovincesandterritoriestomakeagreementswiththefederalgovernmentregardingtherightsatissue.SigninganagreementwiththefederalgovernmentdoesnotmeanthatprovincesandterritoriesbecomeboundbytherelevantfederalAct,orboundtoguaranteetherightswithinin.However,agreementsbetweenprovincial/territorialandfederalgovernmentscanincludeclauseswhich,onapracticalbasis,willembodythedeliveryofthoserightsthroughthedeliveryofparticularservicesorprograms.Forthesakeofclarity,letuscontinueusingtherighttohousinginCanadaasanexample.4.1 The National Housing Strategy TheNationalHousingStrategycontainsseveralelementsofpartnershipsbetweenthefederalgovernmentandprovinces,territories,andbyextension,theirmunicipalities.ThisincludescooperationontheNationalHousingCouncil,72co-investmentfundsthatrequirebothfederalandprovincialcommitments,73andfederalinvestmentswithprovincialcostmatching.74TheNHSalsorequiresregularreportingbacktothefederalgovernmentbytheprovincestoensurethateachismeetingtherequirementsagreeduponintheirrespectivebilateralagreements.

BilateralagreementsaremadebetweentheCanadaMortgageandHousingCorporation(CMHC)andeachoftheprovincesandterritoriesindividually.TheseagreementsarenotmandatoryundertheNHSA,butelementsareincorporatedintotheNHStoincentivizeprovincestoparticipate.EachprovinceandterritoryinCanadahavesignedabilateralagreementwiththeCMHC.75

69AgricultureandAgri-FoodCanada,“TheCanadianFoodPolicyAdvisoryCouncil”(Ottawa:GovernmentofCanada,2021),online:<www.agr.gc.ca>.70Supranote46.71ConstitutionAct,1982,ScheduleBtotheCanadaAct1982(UK),c11atss91–92. 72Supranote11at9.73Ibidat10.74Ibidat16.75NationalHousingStrategy,“Federal/Provincial/Territorialhousingagreements”(Ottawa:CanadaMortgageandHousingCorporation),online:<www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca>.



EachofthebilateralagreementsbetweentheCMHCandtherespectiveprovinceorterritory,excepttheonebetweentheCMHCandQuebec,includesthefollowingpassageontherealizationoftherighttohousingviaActionPlans,whichoutlinespecificstepstobetakenintheimplementationoftheStrategy:

[The]ActionPlanwillincludesupportforthoseingreatestneed,willbeconsistentwiththeprinciplesofparticipationandinclusion;equalityandnon-discrimination;andaccountability,andwillspeaktothefederalhumanrights-basedapproachtohousing.Insodoing,theActionPlanwillcomplementtheNHSgoalofhelpingadvancetheprogressiverealizationofCanada’sobligationsinrelationtohousingundertheInternationalCovenantonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRights(ICESCR).76Whetherthisamountstoanactualguaranteeofthatrightunderprovincial

legislationisunclear.TheclauseaddressesspecificallythecontentoftheActionPlan,butnotnecessarilyitsdelivery.Therefore,althoughprogramsandservicesundertheActionPlanmustbedesignedinawaythatforwardsCanada’scommitmenttotherighttohousing,afailuretodeliverthosedesignedprogramsandservicescorrectlymaynotbechallengeablebasedspecificallyonaclaimedviolationofthefederalrighttohousing.

Practically,thismaynotbeaverysignificantissue.IfprogramsandservicesunderaprovincialorterritorialActionPlanmustbedesignedinawaythatforwardsCanada’scommitmenttotherighttohousing,itfollowslogicallythatthecorrectdeliveryofthoseprogramsandserviceswouldfunctionallydosoaswell.Incorrectorunjustdeliveryofprogramsorservicescantypicallybechallengedinternallybyacomplaintordecisionappealprocesswithintherelevantprogramorservice.However,astrictlyrights-basedclaim,suchasonesaddressedbyprovincialHumanRightsTribunals,couldnotbeadvancedbyrelyingsolelyonthecommitmentintheActionPlans.

Anotherpotentialhurdle,ofcourse,isthatbilateralagreementscanbeterminated,meaningthattheeffectivedeliveryoftherightsisnotpermanentlyguaranteedorenshrinedintoprovincialorterritoriallawsolelybyvirtueoftheprovinceorterritoryhavingsignedabilateralagreementwiththeCMHC.77ItwouldtakeaseparateprovincialActtopermanentlyadopttherightintoprovinciallawandmakeitjusticiableontheprovincialandmunicipallevels.

Therefore,anyfailuresbyCanadaand/ortheCMHCtoabidebytheNHSAcouldbechallengedbasedontherighttohousing,butprovincialfailurescouldnot,barringaprovincialActlegislatingthesameright.However,regularreportsandauditstothefederalauthorityoftheprovince’sperformancerequiredunderthebilateralagreement,aswellascomplaintsandappealsmechanismswithineachparticularprogramorservice,shouldtheoreticallybesufficienttopracticallydeliver,ifnotwhollyprotect,thefederallyrecognizedrighttohousing.

AnotherconcernisthattherearehousingrightsundertheICESCRthatarenotcoveredbytheNHSAduetojurisdictionalissues.AccordingtotheNationalRighttoHousingNetwork,“[protections]fromevictions,rentincreases,healthandsafety

76BilateralAgreementunderthe2017NationalHousingStrategy,CanadaMortgageHousingCorporationandtheMinisterofHousingofOntario,1April2018,online:<www.cmhc-schl.gc.cs>atC-1.77Ibidats13.



requirements,fromdevelopment-baseddisplacement,discrimination,inclusivezoningandplanningandmanyothercomponentsoftherighttohousingfallunderotherlaws,manyofthemprovincialormunicipal.”78ThismeansthattheNHSAaloneisnotsufficienttoguaranteealltherightsassociatedwithhousing,aseachprovincewouldhavetoindependentlyamendtheirrelevantlaws(forexample,Ontario’sResidentialTenanciesAct)torecognizeandprotecttherighttoadequatehousing.

4.2 Application to the Right to Food Jurisdictionhaslongbeenanissueinrighttofoodadvocacyandmaybepartofthereasonwhytherighttohousinghasbeenrecognizedwhiletherighttofoodhasnot,despitesimilarandmultipleattempts.Argumentsforthelegalrecognitionoftherighttofoodhavebeencounteredbythosesupportingtheexpansionofmarketsandimprovementofeconomicoutcomes.79Inotherwords,somefeelthatincreasingfoodtradetostrengthentheeconomyshouldtakeprecedenceoverrights-basedstrategies,whichcouldneutralizecompetitivemarketsifequalaccesstofoodisguaranteedtoeveryone.Thesemarket-basedprincipleslargelyformthebasisofthecurrentfoodsysteminCanada.80UnliketheNationalHousingStrategy,theFoodPolicyforCanadadoesnotcreateorenablepartnershipswithprovincestoensuregovernment-organizedaccesstofood,exceptinthecreationofaNationalSchoolFoodProgram.81Instead,theFoodPolicyaimstostrengthenexistingcommunity-basedfoodaccessibilityprojects,likefoodbanksandsoupkitchens,byinvestinginthemandprovidingadditionalfunding.82Thisisreflectiveofthemarket-basedsystem:itmaybedifficulttoconvincethefederalandprovincialgovernmentstoreducetheirinterestsinagriculturalmarketexpansionandexportsforthesakeofrealizingadomesticrighttofood.Thisisnotachallengeinthecontextofhousing.

The2012reportoftheSpecialRapporteurontheRighttoFoodclearlyacknowledgesthevitalroleofnationalstrategiesinachievingafederallyguaranteedrighttofood.TheReport’srecommendationsarelargelycenteredaroundrecognizingtherighttofoodandthenecessarystepstoachieveit.Mr.deSchutter’sfirstrecommendationisthattheCanadiangovernmentformulateacomprehensiverights-basedstrategythatclearlyoutlinestheresponsibilitiesofpublicofficialsatalllevelsofgovernment.83Thisincludesadutyonfederalgovernmenttoensurethatallinitiativesadoptedatmunicipalandprovinciallevelsareadequatelysupported.

FoodSecureCanada’sprimerarticlecommentingontheFoodPolicyforCanadanotesthattherighttofoodisnotincludedinthePolicy.AlthoughtherearereferencesthroughoutthePolicytofoodsecurity,“theyarenotpulledtogetherasaspecificpriorityoutcome.”84Basedonexistingrighttofoodadvocacy,includingfromMr.deSchutterandFoodSecureCanada,theconsideration–andsubsequentrecognition–ofahumanrighttofoodisclearlynecessaryinordertoconductafullanalysisofwhatservicesareneededto

78Supranote12.79NadiaLambek,“SocialJusticeandtheFoodSystem”inHeatherMcLeod-Kilmurray,AngelaLeeandNathalieChalifour,eds,FoodLawandPolicyinCanada(Toronto:ThomsonReuters,2019)325at326.80Ibidat339.81Supranote51at9. 82Ibid.83Supranote5atpara69(a).84Supranote56.



guaranteeit,includingdrawinginotherareasoflawsuchassocialassistance,livingwage,Indigenousrights,andagriculturalproduction,85andtocreateacohesivepolicythataddressesallaspects,causes,andperpetuatingfactorsoffoodinsecurity.

Insummary,arighttofoodlegislatedatthefederallevelcannotbeguaranteedindependentlyattheprovincialandmunicipallevelsunlessprovinciallegislationisalsoenactedrecognizingthesameright.However,NationalStrategiesmayhelpbridgethatgapbyimplementingsupplementarypolicieswhich,inpractice,delivertheservicesandprogramsnecessaryfortherealizationoftheright.

AnotherimportantfactorthatdifferentiatesthecampaignsfortherighttofoodandtherighttohousingthatmaybeasignificanthurdleisthefactthattheFoodPolicyforCanadahasalreadybeenfullyformedandenacted,whereastheNationalHousingStrategyActhadnotyetevenbeenwrittenatthetimeofthestrongadvocacypushdiscussedinthispaper.However,theFoodPolicyissonewthatitsimplementationisongoing,andthereispotentialforamendmentofthePolicy.JustastheNationalHousingStrategywasstrengthenedbytheAct,theFoodPolicycouldbehugelyinfluencedbyalegislatedrighttofoodinCanada.Additionally,theFoodPolicycreatesopportunitiesfortheexplorationoffurther“sub-targets”bytheCanadianFoodPolicyAdvisoryCouncil,implyingthatthereisroomtointroduceothercommitmentswithinthescopeoftheFoodPolicyforCanada.86

3. Conclusion

TheachievementofalegislatedrighttohousinginCanadawasacollaborativeeffortbetweengrassrootsactivists,civilsociety,andUNandgovernmentrepresentatives.Akeyelementwasawell-timedUNSpecialRapporteurCommunicationconcerningviolationsofhousingrightsinBCandCanada’scontinuedfailuretolegislatetherighttohousingpertheirobligationsunderinternationalhumanrightslaw.WhentheSpecialRapporteurs’Communicationwasreleasedin2017,CanadahadrecentlytransitionedtoanewLiberalgovernmentsincethepreviousUNSpecialRapporteurontheRighttoHousing’smissiontoCanada.CanadahadagrowinginterestinbecomingmoreinvolvedininternationalhumanrightslawandhadalreadymadeacommitmenttoputtingtogetheraNationalHousingStrategy.

Then-UNSpecialRapporteurandCanadian,LeilaniFarha,wroteCommunicationstotheCanadianGovernmentandworkedonthegroundwithCanadianhousingorganizationsandpoliticians,usingherinfluencetohelpdraftandchampionlegislation.AnotherexampleofaCanadianUNSpecialRapporteur,DavidBoyd,helpingtoadvancehumanrightsinCanadaisthetablingofBillC-28toamendCEPA1999torecognizetherighttoahealthyenvironment.Thesetwovictoriesareinspiringforrighttofoodadvocates.

TheFoodPolicyforCanadaaddressessomeconcernspreviousexpressedbytheUNSpecialRapporteurontheRighttoFoodbutdoesnotacknowledgeahumanrighttofoodinCanada,similartotheoriginalNationalHousingStrategydocument.ThecurrentUNSpecialRapporteurontheRighttoFoodisalsoaCanadian,andmaybeabletofollowMs.Farha’sexampleintheprocessofachievingaCanadianrighttohousing.AdvocatesfortherighttofoodcouldwriteaninformationtotheSpecialRapporteurMichaelFakhri,reopeningthe

85Supranote5atpara69.86Supranote51at13.



conversationontherighttofoodwiththeUNandexertinginternalandexternalpressureontheCanadiangovernmenttomakechange.

AlthoughtherearemanypotentialbarrierstolegislatingtherighttofoodinCanada,suchasjurisdictionalcomplicationsandresistancetotherighttofoodduetotheprioritizationofmarketexpansion,thereareseveralreasonstobehopeful.ObservingtheprocessforachievingtherighttohousinginCanadaasamodelcouldbeapromisingstartingpoint.However,therearesignificantfactorsdifferentiatingthehistoryofthepushfortherighttofood,aswellasthenatureofthecurrentlegislationthatexistsadjacenttoit.ThesemustbetakenintoconsiderationinfutureadvocacyfortherecognitionofthehumanrighttofoodinCanada,asclearparallelsanddifferentialcontextscaneachmakeorbreakthesuccessoffutureadvocacy.

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