Celebrating Food Day in Canada are left to right: Crystal Mackay, coordinator of Food Day Canada, Senator Rob Black, MP John Nater, Jackie Agnew, one of Anita Stewart’s daughters-in-law, and Jeff Stewart, one of Anita Stewart’s sons. Courtesy Photo
By Terry Tinkess
AgriNews Staff Writer
OTTAWA – On May 8, Bill S-227 an Act to establish Food Day in Canada was passed at the third and final stage of debate in the House of Commons.
The bill, also known as the Food Day in Canada Act, was originally introduced by Senator Rob Black in November 2021, and was passed in the Senate in May 2022.
After passing in the Senate, the Food Day in Canada Act was sponsored by M.P. John Nater in the House of Commons. Surprisingly in this era of partisan politics, the bill received unanimous support at every stage of the legislative process.
The Food Day in Canada Act gives Food Day official recognition as day of celebration. The Food Day in Canada Act honours the legacy of the late Anita Stewart of Wellington County for her lifetime of agriculture and food advocacy in Canada.
This official recognition from the Government of Canada comes in time for the 20th anniversary of Anita Stewart’s first Food Day Canada event, which was then known as the World’s Longest Barbecue, in support of beef farmers and ranches during the Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE, also known as “Mad Cow Disease”) crisis of 2003.
Stewart was the author of 14 cookbooks about Canadian foods and wines and was the founder of Cuisine Canada. She was awarded as a Member of the Order of Canada on Nov. 3, 2011. Throughout her life Anita Stewart was a long-time culinary journalist, food historian, Canadian food champion, self-described culinary activist, and disruptor. She passed away on Oct. 29, 2020.
Since 2003 Food Day Canada has grown into a national event that praises and celebrates farmers and fishers, chefs, and researchers and, everyone who contributes to agriculture, food, and cuisine in Canada.
“It is with great satisfaction that we finally reach the end of debate before passing Bill S-227, Food Day in Canada.” said MP Nater, MP for Perth-Wellington, in the House of Commons shortly before the bill was passed.
“On Aug. 5, 20 years after Anita Stewart organized the first Food Day in response to a national crisis that devastated our beef farmers, Food Day Canada will finally be officially recognized. This summer, and for every year to follow, we will together recognize the work of our farmers, fishers, processors, chefs, and everyone along the food supply chain who not only feeds us but also enriches our diverse national culture.”
A statement was released by Stewart’s three adult sons, Brad, Jeff, Mark, and Paul Stewart.
“We thank the Honourable Members of the House for considering Bill-S227, An Act to Establish a Food Day in Canada. Since the 1970s, our mother, Anita Stewart, has been uniting Canadians through food. Twenty years ago, she created Food Day Canada / Journée des terroirs du Canada, a national celebration of Canada’s unique, rich, and diverse food culture. Over the past 20 years, Food Day Canada has evolved into a national community, celebrating Canadian food and those who bring it to us.
The mission is to promote and educate about Canada’s food and culture, while elevating thinking about Canadian food sovereignty and food security. We look forward to seeing an Official Food Day in Canada living up to its potential as a positive, spirited, diverse celebration for all Canadians.
“This bill takes a historic step towards putting Canada on the map as a proud food leader, while also giving Canadians an opportunity to shop, cook, dine, and celebrate Canada’s rich food culture. We sincerely believe that an official Food Day in Canada will offer significant cultural benefits to Canadians and their families, with economic benefits for communities and businesses, as we echo our mother’s mantra: ‘Canada Is Food’ and the world is richer for it.”
Food Day Canada will officially become recognized as soon as it receives Royal Assent from Governor General Mary Simon.
