How is food insecurity framed as a problem in the Canadian public policy domain?

1. How is food insecurity framed as a problem in the Canadian public policy domain? Lynn McIntyre, Krista Rondeau Dept of Community Health Sciences, U of Calgary , Cathy Mah, CAMH and Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto CPHA 2013 Conference, Ottawa, June 11, 2013

3. Federal and provincial social policies directed at food insecurity have been ineffective at reducing food insecurity rates. • A greater understanding of how food insecurity is problematized in key political institutions offers the opportunity to align interventions and policy action in ways that are more acceptable to policymakers.

4. Framing or problem definition is a key element in policy change Entrepreneurs Windows Entrepreneurs

5. What is frame-critical analysis? SociaI constructionist approach. Maps relationships of policy actors’ understanding of the problem, rhetoric in the policy domain, and policy actions: • What is the problem? • Who is responsible? • What needs to be done?

6. Using frame-critical analysis, to examine how household food insecurity is framed as a policy problem in policy debates in Canada. Objective

7. Hansardsof NS, BC, ON, Fed 1995-2012 • Includes committee hearings • Government reports since 1995 • NVivo • Document coding framework and two iterations of code sets • Refining interpretation through peer debriefing • Synthesis and triangulation Methods

8. Results The number of children who are hungry has gone up by 50%.... We're talking about children who go to school and can't learn properly because they are hungry and they are cold… You've given them condescending food tips like having bread without butter or having pasta with no sauce…Just tell them that they have to go to bed hungry, that they have to do their part so you can deliver your tax cut to the wealthy Ontarians. (ON Hansard 1996)

9. Debates use framing template Who is responsible?What is the problem?What needs to be done? • We [gov’t] think all Canadians deserve a tax break and that is why we are pursuing a reduction in the GST from 7% to 6% and ultimately down to 5%. That will be felt even more by those who make less income. Every penny, every dime, every dollar, every $10, every $100 makes a difference to somebody who has to pay for food, utilities and all of those things. (Federal Hansard 2006) If people are wondering why NDP MPs …bring such passion to this issue of raising the retirement age two years, it is because of the kinds of comments we are getting. People understand what the impacts are. They understand that what is being done with the government's irresponsible actions, forcing seniors out into the blueberry fields, is absolutely, totally unacceptable. (Federal Hansard 2012)

10. Name it and who experiences it Ways to talk about food insecurity • Hunger (food insecurity term rarely used) • Children • Food bank users: Hunger Count numbers • The poor or needy • “The vulnerable” but honest folk • Hard working citizens Frame it as an outcome Poverty – framed through employment High cost of living, housing, taxes Government failure The Economy Surprising, not surprising

11. Consequences Other characterizations • Impacts on children • Poor nutrition generating poor health (Later years obesity) • Poor health adds costs to the healthcare system • Social impacts, particularly crime • Physical and mental suffering Urgency Most often a ‘crisis’ Starving children and starving people often discussed but not for urgent action (Rarely noted that people do not starve to death in Canada)

12. More government money SOLUTIONSplus thanks to food bank volunteers • Employment Income • Social assistance • Employment or job creation programs • Affordable housing, child care, education Someone else’s money Increase minimum wages Implement price controls on housing or food Reduce taxes for vulnerable segment of the population

13. Grown in BC Food Banks in ON Interprovincial and Federal comparison highlights British Columbia uniquely suggests that food insecurity is a failure of the food system. • Harris years stand out for an authentic debate about hunger. Food banks at the heart of the conversation. Structuralism in NS Nova Scotia discourse is the most structural; considers food insecurity an outcome of poverty. Rhetorical device in YOW Disapproval of reckless government policies or for approval of initiatives based on affected population.

14. Food insecurity as hunger or in relation to food banks is frequently mentioned in political discourses • To date, the use is for rhetorical impact rather than to actually frame policy to address the problem • Canadian policy actors do speak about poverty and poverty reduction • Could the framing of food insecurity be made a genuine target for poverty reduction, rather than just compelling imagery? Conclusions

15. http://nutritionalsciences.lamp.utoronto.ca

16. Thank you