The Kingston City Council, Ontario, will vote tonight on a proposal to declare food insecurity a state of emergency in the city located east of Ontario.

The proposal, put forward by Council member Brandon Touzo, references public health estimates in the Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington area, which indicate that one in three households in Kingston is experiencing food insecurity.

Definition of Food Insecurity

According to the proposal, food insecurity is defined as “inadequate or unsafe access to food due to financial constraints, which is an indicator of severe material deprivation (poverty), and poses a serious public health issue due to its association with higher rates of many diseases and chronic health conditions, as well as increased risk of early death.”

Causes of the Crisis

Touzo points out that the cost of living crisis, unstable employment, and sudden shocks such as the COVID-19 pandemic or illness or eviction make it difficult to afford basic necessities and live above the poverty line. He explained that “current social assistance rates are significantly inadequate, making it impossible to afford a healthy diet.”

Proposal Demands

If the proposal is approved, the Kingston City Council will call on the Ontario government to:

• Implement an immediate increase in social assistance rates.

• Increase core funding for existing school food programs.

The proposal also urges both the federal and Ontario governments to establish a guaranteed basic living income to address the root causes of food insecurity.

Similar Crises in Other Cities

Last November, the Mississauga City Council declared food insecurity a state of emergency and called on Ontario to improve social assistance programs and invest in affordable, supportive, and public housing.

The Ottawa Food Bank also urged the city council to declare food insecurity a crisis amidst a significant increase in demand for its services. Last week, the bank announced it had to cut donations to 98 food programs by up to 50% this year due to rising food costs and increased demand.

Meeting Time

The Kingston City Council meeting to discuss this proposal will begin on Tuesday evening at 7 p.m.