Should food security be a defence priority?

Imagine a country where the military is not just focused on defending its borders, but also on ensuring its citizens have access to nutritious food. It sounds like a radical idea, but it's one that's being seriously considered in Canada. In fact, a recent report by the Canadian Defence and Foreign Affairs Institute suggests that food security should be a key part of the country's defence strategy. This might seem like a strange priority, but the reasoning behind it is compelling. By securing the food supply, the military can help prevent social unrest, support allies, and even gain a strategic advantage over adversaries.

To understand why food security is being linked to defence, it's necessary to consider the current state of global food systems. Climate change, pandemics, and conflicts are all disrupting food production and distribution, leaving many countries vulnerable to shortages and price spikes. In Canada, the issue is particularly pressing due to the country's vast geography and harsh climate, which make it difficult to produce food domestically. As a result, Canada relies heavily on international trade to feed its population, which creates a range of security risks. For instance, a disruption to global supply chains could leave Canadian grocery stores empty, leading to social and economic instability.

Proponents of making food security a defence priority, like Rear Admiral Scott Bishop, argue that it's essential for maintaining national stability and security. They point out that food insecurity can lead to social unrest, migration, and even conflict, all of which can have significant consequences for Canada's defence and foreign policy. On the other hand, critics like economist Sylvain Charlebois argue that the military is not the right institution to be dealing with food security issues. They claim that the focus should be on supporting domestic agriculture, improving international trade relationships, and addressing the root causes of food insecurity, rather than militarizing the issue. Charlebois believes that this approach would be more effective and efficient in the long run.

The idea of linking food security to defence strategy says a lot about what we value as a society. Are we willing to prioritize the well-being of our citizens, even if it means rethinking our approach to national security? Or do we believe that the military should focus solely on traditional defence priorities, like protecting our borders and supporting our allies? The fact that this debate is even happening suggests that our understanding of security is evolving, and that we're beginning to recognize the interconnectedness of different aspects of our lives. As we consider this issue, we're forced to think critically about what it means to be secure, and what role our military should play in achieving that security.