Climate Change, Work and Employment in the Agri-Food Sector: Is the Ontario Food System Sustainable?

This paper seeks to analyse the current food system in Ontario – both the industrial system and the growing alternative, often organic, local food system. It also examines the interrelationship between the industrial and alternative food systems, because organics are influencing management decisions at grocery stores, and government policy is evolving. Our research is taking account of the growing theoretical literature that covers food and climate change and we link this material to issues of work and employment. The authors focus on jobs and employment in the food system as well as analyse how best to make the food system in this province sustainable in the face of climate change. With increasing extreme weather events, the need to adapt the food system to climate change, the need for food security and the necessity of having a sustainable food system in Ontario all become more urgent concerns. They also suggest ways of mitigation and adaptation to ensure future food security.