Members of the media may directly contact the following experts on this topic:
Heather McLeod-Kilmurry (English and French)
Full Professor, Faculty of Law – Common Law Section
’s research touches on food law, including food waste, GMOs and industrial factory farming; toxic torts; environmental justice; and the relationship between science and courts.
Question: Is the ongoing tariff tit-for-tat with the United States affecting food waste?
Heather McLeod-Kilmurry: Canada’s agriculture and food industry will not escape significant impact from the escalating trade war with the United States. Food loss and waste (FLW) is already trending at unacceptably and this trade war risks making the situation even worse. Tariffs may mean Canadian households could see their annual grocery bills rise by up to , with staples like bread prices jumping nearly 43 percent. Nearly of Canada’s food goes to waste, costing the economy up to annually; across Canada’s provinces.
Q: How can Canada respond to avert these high numbers?
HMK: In the face of the tariff disruptions, one clear way to strengthen our food system is by reducing FLW. There is enormous untapped potential to stretch our existing resources, reduce pressure across the supply chain, and lower the need to produce, transport, and purchase as much food in the first place. A key driver of FLW across our nation’s food system is the lack of consistent measurement. Tracking is essential and especially true in sectors like primary production and hospitality, where FLW is often invisible or treated as a cost of doing business.
Q: How important is it for Canadians to tackle food loss and waste?
HMK: Tackling food loss and waste is a triple-win solution all parties should prioritize because it saves money, boosts economic productivity, cuts climate-changing emissions, and strengthens food security.