We need food insecurity declared an emergency and federal support to reduce food bank use
Food bank use in Mississauga is the highest in Ontario. Over 56,000 Mississauga residents used the food bank more than 421,000 times in the last year, a 58% increase year over year. According to Food Banks Canada, approximately 175,000 residents currently have a poverty standard of living and Food Banks Mississauga estimates that by 2027, unless action is taken, 100,000 people in this City will have to use a food bank.
On November 13, 2024, Council passed a resolution declaring food insecurity to be an emergency in Mississauga and asked the federal and provincial government to make the same declaration. The motion requested the federal and provincial governments to make investments in income and disability support programs to provide people with the funding they need so they do not have to use a food bank.
Council’s resolution also called upon the other levels of government to make investments in affordable housing and worker support programs.
The City requests action from the federal government
- Declare food insecurity an emergency in Ontario and Canada.
- Improve social assistance programs.
- Invest in affordable, supportive and public housing.
- Build a stronger workforce through better labour laws that benefit workers and enhance worker support programs.
- Support the Groceries and Essentials Benefit concept developed by Food Banks Canada.