Overview of the Promise

During his campaign for prime minister, Mark Carney pledged to work with the National School Food Program, provinces, and territories to prioritize the purchasing of Canadian food products as much as possible. This commitment aimed to support Canadian farmers and ensure that children have access to local, fresh food grown and caught in Canada. The promise emphasizes collaboration, prioritization of domestic sourcing, and benefits for both agriculture and child nutrition.

Actions Taken by the Carney Government

Since taking office, the Carney government has advanced the National School Food Program, building on its initial announcement in 2024. By March 2025, agreements were signed with all provinces and territories, including late joiners like Alberta, to expand meal programs. These bilateral agreements, such as the one with British Columbia for 2024-2027, outline federal funding and program delivery, with an emphasis on healthy, accessible meals. The government has invested $1 billion over five years to reach up to 400,000 additional children, integrating elements that support local economies.

Regarding prioritization of Canadian food products, official program guidelines and policies encourage the use of locally sourced ingredients. The National School Food Policy, released in June 2024 and carried forward under Carney, promotes sustainable and inclusive food systems, including support for Canadian agriculture. Reports indicate that program implementation includes directives for provinces to favor domestic products where feasible, aligning with the promise's goal of supporting farmers. For instance, in British Columbia, the program ties into existing initiatives like Feeding Futures, which highlight local food procurement.

Legislation and Policy Developments

No new standalone legislation has been passed specifically for this promise, but it is embedded within broader federal initiatives. The program's framework is supported by the Food Policy for Canada, with a five-year report (2019-2024) highlighting progress on food security and sustainability, including investments in local food systems. In August 2025, the government announced new research funding through Employment and Social Development Canada and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research to strengthen the program, potentially including studies on local sourcing efficiency. Bilateral agreements with provinces serve as binding commitments, effectively operationalizing the prioritization without separate laws.

Progress on Key Promise Elements

The promise's core elements—collaboration with the program and provinces/territories, prioritizing Canadian products, supporting farmers, and providing access to local food—are being addressed. Collaboration is evident in the signed agreements across all jurisdictions by early 2025. Prioritization of Canadian products is incorporated into program guidelines, with reports showing efforts to source locally to bolster farmers. However, full nationwide implementation is ongoing, with some regions still scaling up operations as of August 2025. Challenges like food insecurity persist, with calls from organizations for permanent funding to ensure long-term access to fresh, local options.

This promise is currently in progress. To become kept, the government must ensure consistent, widespread prioritization of Canadian products in program procurement, demonstrated through annual reports showing high percentages of domestic sourcing and sustained support for farmers. It would be at risk of being broken if evaluations reveal predominant use of imported foods or if funding cuts hinder local purchasing capabilities, failing to deliver on the commitment to fresh, Canadian-grown access for children.

Overall Status

This promise is in progress.