City of Brantford Council unanimously endorsed a resolution to declare a food insecurity emergency across the municipality during their Committee of the Whole, Planning and Administration meeting on Tuesday, March 18, 2025.
Speaking to her resolution, Councillor Mandy Samwell said that the issue surrounding food insecurity is urgent and requires immediate attention.
“Food insecurity is not just a crisis, it’s an emergency and we are not alone in recognizing it,” she said. “Municipalities across Ontario, including Toronto, Mississauga and Kingston have already taken this important step to declare a food insecurity emergency. They have acknowledged, as we must, that too many people in our communities, our neighbours, our friends, and our families are struggling to afford food.”
The resolution states that social assistance rates for Ontario Works recipients have been frozen since 2018, and that there’s been no increase or inflation-based adjustment despite the increased costs of living.
As an example, the resolution goes on to say that the maximum single person Ontario Works benefit for basic needs is $343 and $390 for shelter, a total of just $733 per month. Given that the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) Average Market Rent (AMR) for a bachelor apartment in Brantford is $984 and a one bedroom is $1,215, the discrepancy is clear.
The resolution also notes that the number of individuals using the Brantford Food Bank has increased by 86 per cent over the past four years. Whereas 5,543 individuals used the Food Bank in 2021, that number jumped to 10,332 individuals in 2024, 34 per cent of which were children.
Samwell said this is a reality that shouldn’t be ignored.
“This is not just about statistics, this is about people,” she said. “A parent, skipping meals so their child can eat, a senior forced to choose between paying rent and buying groceries, and a student relying on food banks just to get through the week. These are the realities that we can’t ignore.”
She added that all levels of government ultimately need to work together and address the root cause.
“We have so many incredible organizations in Brantford that are doing great work to support those in need, but food banks and meal programs were never meant to be a permanent solution,” said Samwell. “Food Insecurity is a direct result of inadequate income and rising cost of living. If we do not address the root causes we will be failing more of our community when they need us the most. By declaring a food insecurity emergency, we are taking a stand not just to acknowledge the crisis, but to push for systemic change that is so desperately needed. We need higher income support, we need real investments in affordable housing and we need immediate action from all levels of government.”
Samwell’s resolution, which if officially passed on Tuesday, March 25, will be sent to both the provincial and federal governments, asks that the following actions be taken:
- Increase the rates of income support programs to ensure they are adequate to address the basic needs of individuals and families.
- Increase direct funding to local organizations providing food and other basic needs to families.
- Increase funding to school nutrition programs, and commit to expanding school nutrition programs.
- Increase investment in affordable housing solutions.
- Act to address the causes of food insecurity by establishing a Guaranteed Livable Basic Income.
- Review the feasibility of additional income support measures, including the Groceries and Essentials Benefit and increases to minimum wage.
- Include the reduction of food insecurity as a component of all appropriate government policies.
During the meeting, both Heather Vanner, Executive Director of the Community Resource Centre (which runs the Food Bank), and Gisele Budgell, Program Director for Brant Food For Thought (a local nutrition program that provides meals for students), took the opportunity to speak to, and support Samwell’s resolution.
“What is the impact of poor nutrition on children and youth? We know that food insecurity and lack of nutritious food impacts physical, emotional and the academic development of children and youth. In fact, according to the (2024) Brant Vital Signs report, over 22 per cent of our young children are vulnerable in their physical health and well being,” said Budgell. “Why should this matter for Brantford? Think about the community impact. Expanding nutrition programs will strengthen Brantford as a community that values equity, health and opportunity for all healthy children and youth. They’re the future workforce. They’re the leaders of tomorrow, and investing in nutrition today will benefit the entire community for tomorrow.”
Vanner added that enough is enough, something has to be done.
“Volunteers and staff at food programs work hard to make sure that everyone gets enough and that everyone is fed, but we can no longer watch families, individuals, seniors and children suffer in poverty with nothing being done,” she said. “The time for action is now.”
Before the vote, councillors later expressed their support for the resolution, thanked the delegates and their organizations for all of their hard work, and encouraged the public to help out wherever and however they can.
“While we’re working towards finding a solution, be sure to reach out to some of these organizations that we’ve heard from tonight and offer your support,” said Councillor Rose Sicoli. “Offer your volunteerism and offer whatever dollars you may have [to spare] because I know it goes a long way to the Food Bank. Dollars will stretch a lot farther when you donate money, as opposed to food [because] they’re able to buy a lot more and provide a lot more food to individuals out there. So don’t forget about them and make sure that you’re reaching out and doing what you can.”
The vote was then carried unanimously.
Kimberly De Jong’s reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative.The funding allows her to report rural and agricultural stories from Blandford-Blenheim and Brant County. Reach her at kimberly.dejong@brantbeacon.ca.
