Policy Updates

On June 7, 2024, Canada’s IDRC announced CAD23 million (US$17 million) to support inclusive and sustainable aquaculture food systems to address climate change and food insecurity in Southeast Asia and the Pacific region.

The IDRC partnered with the Canadian government to launch AQUADAPT, a four-year project to improve small-scale aquaculture’s climate productivity and sustainability. The partnership aims to develop nature-based solutions to sustainably manage aquatic ecosystems and support robust nutritious systems, quality jobs, and resilient food production in a changing climate. AQUADAPT will include 11 research alliances and 35 institutions across Southeast Asia and the Pacific.

On May 29, 2024, the IRPP urged Canada to pivot its Indo-Pacific Strategy to focus on strengthening relationships with Vietnam to support efforts in sustainable climate, agriculture, and water management.

Canada’s CAD2.3 billion (US$1.7 billion) Indo-Pacific investment, introduced in November 2022, focuses on economic security, for which Vietnam is regarded as a regional success story. Vietnam is the second-fastest growing economy in Asia, but faces ongoing challenges including water shortages, unsustainable development practices, and climate change.

Given Canada’s expertise in agri-tech, clean technology innovation, and freshwater management, the IRPP encouraged the Canadian government to use its strengths to be a more active and reliable partner to Vietnam. It urged Canada to invest in Vietnam’s water sector, which needs up to US$2.7 billion to reach its ambitious target of building a clean and resilient water supply by 2050. The IRPP also proposed use of Canadian agri-tech expertise to support low-carbon agricultural practices and help farmers adapt to climate change.

On May 22, 2024, Canada’s IRPP released a field study on the impact of developing legislative solutions to address pressing human rights and climate change issues in global supply chains, without consulting affected local producers and workers in LMICs and reported strong sentiments against exclusionary policy practice

The study showed that those most affected are given limited input in developing new laws and standards by donor countries, which also creates trade barriers. In many cases, local producers uphold strict sustainability standards and have multiple certifications, but do not feel they have been adequately consulted in donor countries’ development of the conditions and regulations they face, which hinders production and local economic growth.

The IRPP called on Canada to be a leader in addressing concerns raised by LMIC producers and showcasing its commitment to ethical standards and responsible global business practices. Specifically, the IRPP asserted that Canada’s child and forced labor act falls short of addressing the evolving challenges in global supply chains.

The think tank made several policy recommendations for Canada, including broadening the scope of current legislation beyond child and slave labor to address a wider array of human rights and environmental issues and allocating a dedicated fund for educational and training programs for producers in LMICs.