Planning for food sovereignty in Canada? A comparative case study of two rural communities

Abstract

In Canada, most local-governance level food system planning research has been conducted in larger, often urban communities. However, producers in small rural communities conduct the majority of Canada’s agricultural activities. Using case-study research, this paper documents how the rural communities of Saint-Camille (Québec) and Salt Spring Island (British Columbia) engage in food system planning. By investigating the background, key achievements, barriers and good practices, the case studies inform a comparative analysis of governance planning processes and community led project development. The results suggest an overlap between the community food system planning and the food sovereignty frameworks, a space discerned as food sovereignty planning.

Keywords

• food sovereignty
• community food system
• food system planning
• food sovereignty planning
• canada
• québec
• british columbia