The science behind solving food insecurity in Canada

By: Gabriel Miller, President and CEO, Universities Canada

This op-ed was published in The Hill Times on March 9, 2026.

For generations, Canada has been able to rely on a strong and stable food system. That assumption is now being tested.

Climate pressures, rising input costs, global instability and shifting environmental conditions are creating new risks for farmers and food producers. These challenges affect not only what Canadians pay at the grocery store, but also, more fundamentally, they test the resilience of one of the country’s most essential sectors. Meeting these challenges will depend on sustained federal investment in research and innovation that strengthens the agri-food sector. Canadian universities, which have long been central to that effort, are developing solutions that enhance agricultural productivity, improve sustainability and support the people and communities who produce our food.

Food security is not simply about supply. It requires adaptability. And adaptability is rooted in ingenuity, advanced through science, and translated into practical solutions through research.

Across the country, federally supported university researchers are delivering practical, science-based solutions producers can use.

At the University of Saskatchewan, agricultural researchers are developing more resilient crop varieties and digital tools to help farmers adapt to changing environmental conditions. At the University of Waterloo, researchers are using artificial intelligence to improve drought prediction, giving producers better information to manage risk. At the University of Guelph, the Food from Thought initiative — which received $76-million in federal support through the Canada First Research Excellence Fund — is advancing sustainable food production by improving soil health, strengthening crop performance, and developing more efficient agricultural systems.

Together, these initiatives show how federal research investments translate directly into on-farm productivity and long-term resilience.

Similar work is underway at universities in every region of the country, reflecting the national importance of agricultural research to Canada’s economic strength, food security and long-term competitiveness in a changing global climate. This research strengthens rural economies, stabilizes domestic food supply and reinforces this country’s position in global agri-food markets, a sector that contributes billions of dollars to the GDP and supports hundreds of thousands of jobs.

Research conducted at Canadian universities plays a crucial role in translating scientific discovery into real-world impact. Working in partnership with producers, industry and governments, universities help accelerate commercialization, strengthen Canada’s talent pipeline and ensure producers have access to the innovations they need to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving global market.

This is especially important as climate change intensifies and global supply chains face increasing disruption. Other leading agricultural economies are increasing their investments in research and innovation to secure productivity gains and climate resilience. Canada cannot afford to fall behind. Our ability to adapt will depend on continued investment in the science, research and talent that underpin agricultural resilience.

Food security is not an abstract concept. It is the result of deliberate policy choices — choices to invest in research, support innovation and ensure producers have the tools they need to succeed. Canadian universities translate federal research investments into practical solutions that strengthen Canada’s food system, rural communities and export capacity.

If Canada is serious about long-term food security, driving economic competitiveness and supporting rural communities, sustained federal investment in university agricultural research must remain a national priority.

At a time of mounting uncertainty, investing in the science that safeguards the resiliency of our food system is not optional. It’s essential to this country’s future.