In Conversation welcomes Michael McCain to TMU
Hosted by the School of Public Policy and Democratic Innovation, In Conversation, welcomes guests to share the perspectives that shed light on the ever-evolving dynamics shaping our society and governance. Through intimate one-on-one conversations with prominent Canadian leaders from business, politics, labour and academia, we explore the topics shaping our democracy. The School of Public Policy and Democratic Innovation brings academic rigour to the analysis of public policy with a focus on the impacts on racialized, low-income, sexual minority groups, Indigenous communities, women and other intersectional identities.
Pam Suigman, Dean of Arts, and Michael McCain, Executive Chair of Maple Leaf Foods
The inaugural event on March 26, 2024, welcomed Michael McCain, visionary and Executive Chair of Maple Leaf Foods (external link) for a conversation with Pam Sugiman, Dean of the Faculty of Arts. They discussed topics ranging from food security and systemic inequalities to advocating for public policy and solutions toward carbon neutrality.
“When we created the School of Public Policy and Democratic Innovation, in addition to debate and policy exploration, part of our vision was to facilitate public-facing conversations and amplify the perspectives currently missing in public policy,” said Sugiman. “Exploring these issues with a business leader who has been at the forefront in establishing a sustainable food system, a vocal proponent of stakeholder capitalism and a dedicated advocate for food security brings invaluable expertise and practical insight to our academic discourse. It enriches our understanding of how policy intersects with business practices, societal needs and environmental concerns, fostering a holistic approach to addressing complex challenges and fostering inclusive governance.”
McCain explored factors contributing to capitalism's decline, including environmental challenges and escalating injustice. He underscored the potential for addressing these concerns and considering a new “charter for capitalism.” This acknowledges capitalism's past contributions but emphasizes the negative consequences, such as environmental degradation, gross inequality and loss of trust in institutions. This new approach aims to balance business interests with social and environmental responsibilities, driven by forward-thinking business leaders, to create a sustainable and equitable future. His intent with this proposed “charter for capitalism” was to stimulate reflection and spark dialogue.
McCain addressed the issue of food insecurity in the country, highlighting that “it’s not about sending another truckload of almost out-of-code Twinkies over to the local food bank and hoping that they get consumed.” He emphasized, “[It’s] critical to understand that food security is not about food. We have lots of food. It is about income. Some - five years ago - would have said that it’s only about poverty, only about income, well that’s not true either. It is about the connectivity between income, in some cases, racial inequality or issues, mental health, food literacy, nutrition literacy, financial literacy and disabilities… It’s about access” (27:54).
In 2016, Maple Leaf Foods established the Maple Leaf Centre for Action on Food Security (external link) , intending to halve the percentage of Canadians experiencing food insecurity by 2023. Despite documented efforts, McCain noted that the situation has worsened, with factors like food inflation and the escalating cost of housing in Canada exacerbating food security challenges. The Centre is currently at a pivotal moment in creating solutions for these issues.
Additionally, McCain discussed solutions toward carbon neutrality. With a commitment to shared value and carbon neutrality, McCain, alongside partners Galen Weston (George Weston Limited) and Dave McKay (Royal Bank of Canada), initiated an effort to address industry outcomes and execute strategies toward a specific goal. In the fall of 2023, the group launched the Canadian Alliance for Net Zero Agriculture (external link) (CANZA). CANZA aims to achieve a Canadian agricultural food system that could be net zero by 2050 for the entire food system. The Boston Consulting Group provided resources and identified close to 100 potential mitigation solutions, categorized into five initiatives to mitigate 75 percent of Canadian agricultural food emissions. CANZA and its founding organizations are prioritizing two of these initiatives: regenerative agriculture and anaerobic digestion.
Encouraging broader engagement in public policy, McCain inspired others, such as students and community members, to work toward effective public policy by “becoming a generation of rebels.” He outlined ways for students and others to get involved in public policy, including engagement with the government and NGOs. Highlighting the importance of engagement with local communities, he emphasized the significance of micro-changes in creating meaningful impact, particularly at local food banks.
“[I] really value engagement in public policy. I don’t love politics, but I do enjoy public policy, I enjoy engaging in public policy. I’ve had this idealistic view, that in many cases it’s been true in history, when great politicians led with sound public policy and then made the public politics fit.”
