This public statement describes key findings from the strategic environmental and economic assessment (SEEA) conducted for a Treasury Board submission on keeping food safe for Canadians (the approved proposal).
We are committed to transparency and advancing the Government of Canada's priorities and goals on sustainable development and climate action, including environmental and socio-economic goals. This public statement explains how environmental and economic effects were considered during the proposal's development.
The proposal was led by the CFIA and supported by Health Canada.
Summary of the approved proposal
We received funding for the 2025 to 2026 fiscal year to maintain and increase core CFIA activities that help ensure the safety of Canada's domestically produced and imported food.
Objectives of the approved proposal
The proposed work will deliver on 3 pillars of activities, vital to the agency's ability to carry out its mandate in mitigating food safety risks.
Improving risk intelligence and oversight
Maintain and enhance the suite of in-house tools, models and processes that are the foundational support for the CFIA's proactive and integrated approach to risk management.
Preventive activities for imported food
Continued verification of foreign food establishments to assess conditions, undertaking technical cooperation and collaboration with trading partners to enhance compliance with Canadian food safety requirements.
Strengthening stakeholder compliance
Deliver direct compliance advice and support and produce targeted compliance promotion materials to facilitate industry understanding and compliance with food safety requirements.
Key findings
The approved proposal and its activities are not expected to produce significant impacts on the environment.
- Any impacts to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are expected to be minimal and there are no expected impacts on nature or biodiversity
- The approved proposal is expected to result in positive environmental benefits as it relates to mitigation of risks resulting from food-borne pathogens, toxins, contaminants and other food hazards
- Some activities included in the approved proposal could result in an increase in energy consumption, but any impacts are anticipated to be minimal
Strategic environmental analysis
Effects on greenhouse gas emissions
The approved proposal is not expected to produce important effects related to GHG emissions.
Effects on biodiversity
The approved proposal is not expected to produce important effects on biodiversity.
Other environmental effects
The proposal could have a positive environmental effect as it includes activities that aim to reduce the risk of occurrence– with effective risk management and mitigation strategies– of food safety events, thereby protecting the health and safety of Canadians.
Other activities included in the approved proposal, such as increasing communication and engagement with stakeholders, could result in an increase in energy consumption. However, any impacts are anticipated to be minimal.
Climate change impacts and adaption solutions
The approved proposal considers the impacts of climate change on the food supply chain. It recognizes that climate change can have multifaceted impacts on the occurrence and severity of incidents resulting from emerging and/or evolving food safety risks. For example, increased sensitivity of microorganisms, pests, and toxins in food as a direct or indirect result of climate change, alters the risk landscape for domestically produced and imported foods.
Mitigating food safety risks is the CFIA's highest priority. CFIA will utilize the funds to continue to strengthen systems, tools, and practices in place to identify food safety trends and risks, which continue to evolve due to various factors including, but not limited to, climate change. This will support analysis of new or emerging food safety risks as well as the implementation of risk mitigation measures to protect the health and safety of Canadians.
Effects on Canada's climate resilience
Federal, provincial, and territorial governments in Canada are taking actions to build resilience to climate change. The approved proposal supports the Government of Canada's efforts to strengthen Canada's resilience by protecting and improving human health and well-being.
This initiative would enable the CFIA to stay ahead of climate change impacts by timely and effective management of food safety risks. Improving the systems, tools, and practices that help identify emerging or evolving food safety risks will support the prioritization of risk mitigation activities– such as enhanced inspections– in areas of highest risk. As such, Canadians will have access to safe food that supports their health and well-being.
Strategic economic analysis
A strategic economic analysis was not required for this proposal.
Cross-cutting considerations
Indigenous Peoples' rights and climate leadership
The proposal is expected to have equally positive impacts on all Canadians and the food manufacturing and processing sector given that it is a broad, general initiative with no anticipated direct impact on Indigenous Peoples' rights or interests.
Self-Determination, Self-Government and recognition of treaties and rights
Federal food safety legislation as it pertains to interprovincial, interterritorial and international trade applies to all persons and food sectors within Canada equally, including the trade of Indigenous traditional and country foods.
The ongoing implementation of the Improving Food Safety program does not propose to change the activities in this program. The CFIA will work respectfully with its national and regional Indigenous liaisons and local Indigenous governments as it carries out its activities and engages with stakeholders.
Federal Sustainable Development Strategy
This initiative contributes to Goal 2 of the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy, to support a healthier and more sustainable food system. To support safe and secure food, the CFIA, with its partners, sets policies and verifies regulatory compliance to prevent food contamination and hazards. It also supports sustainable development in developing countries through offshore preventive activities and technical assistance.
Public perspective on environmental impacts
The proposal is not expected to result in any public perspectives or reactions with respect to the environmental impacts of this proposal, since the impacts are expected to be insignificant.
Fossil fuel subsidy
No direct implications are identified within the program's scope.
Implications for sustainable jobs
No direct implications are identified within the program's scope.
Summary of how environmental and economic considerations were integrated in the proposal
The proposal recognizes that climate change can have multifaceted impacts on the occurrence and severity of incidents resulting from emerging or evolving food safety risks. A potential increase in food safety risks coupled with a rise in the number of food businesses has increased the need for CFIA oversight to protect the health and safety of Canadians.
The CFIA has been provided funds that will enable it to address emerging or evolving food safety risks, including those caused or impacted by climate change, both within Canada as well as from imported foods.