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Lobbying by CANADIAN FOODGRAINS BANK: its registrations, its lobbyists, the bills it has named and every meeting it has reported with federal office holders since November 2021.

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Organization

CANADIAN FOODGRAINS BANK

Meetings this Parliament
40
With MPs
23
Since Nov 2021
105
Active registrations
1

Most recent reported meeting: Aug 28, 2026.

Registrations in effect

In-house (organization) In effect since Aug 21, 2026 Receives government funding

Filed by Andy Harrington, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Lobbyists

  • Julia Buckingham · senior policy advisor Former designated public office holder

    Formerly Policy and Communications Intern, office of the Minister of State for Finance, Finance Canada (2014–2014)

  • Alexandria Novokowsky · Senior Policy Advisor, Climate Change Former public office holder

    Formerly Policy Analyst, Agriculture and Food Systems, Global Affairs Canada (2020–2021)

  • Andy Harrington · EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
  • Barbra Chimhandamba · Government and Stakeholder Relations Advisor
  • Carol Thiessen · Public Policy Director
  • Chinelo Agom-Eze · senior policy advisor
  • Christina Philips · director of resources and communications

Institutions they may lobby: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), Finance Canada (FIN), Global Affairs Canada (GAC), House of Commons, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), Prime Minister's Office (PMO), Senate of Canada

What they're lobbying on (17)
  • International development. The meeting underscored a strong expectation that Canadian international assistance will face significant further reductions under the Liberal government, regardless of the Conservatives’ position, reflecting a perceived lack of public support for overseas spending while Canadians face domestic challenges. The discussion stressed the need to be prepared for additional Canadian aid cuts in the future. While acknowledging that cuts would significantly reduce impact on hunger and poverty alleviation, we emphasized that our organization would remain viable due to its strong donor base and noted the importance of government matching funds in leveraging private donations. The discussion explored alternative aid financing models, including donor-matched government funding, public-private partnerships, and philanthropic partnerships, with considerable interest shown in approaches that align government support with causes Canadians already back.
  • International development. The discussion centered on defending the value of international assistance, pushing back on the suggestion that Canada cannot afford foreign aid at present, that Canadian resources should be directed more toward addressing food insecurity and community needs within Canada, and that Canadian Foodgrains Bank member organizations expand their domestic poverty alleviation efforts. Arguments about the moral, strategic, and long-term benefits of international assistance were made but appeared to have limited impact. The meeting also engaged on issues of accountability, questioning how aid misuse is prevented and whether organizations can guarantee assistance reaches intended recipients. We outlined our rigorous partner oversight, audits, project monitoring, and transparency measures, while acknowledging the realities of operating in some of the world’s most challenging contexts.
  • International Development. The Foodgrains Bank gave an overview of its work and highlighted its efforts to build public and political support for international development and climate resilience through engagement with government departments, MPs, and Canadians. We offered to provide regular briefings from the Foodgrains Bank, particularly those that highlight development outcomes and high-impact investment opportunities, and other issues we believe should be on the MP's radar.
  • International development and climate finance. The discussion focused on climate finance, with Foodgrains Bank representatives outlining concerns about the impacts of climate change on food security, the need to prioritize vulnerable populations and adaptation funding, and the possibility that Canada's renewed climate finance commitments may rely more heavily on loans than grants. The meeting also included a discussion of the Foodgrains Bank's broader international development priorities and advocacy objectives: Canada should make resilient food systems an aid priority and ensure that the dev-trade approach focuses on poverty reduction,?localization?and sustainability.
  • International development; climate finance and agricultural sustainability; and public engagement and domestic support. Discussions on the clarification of the new trade and development policy. Global Affairs Canada (GAC)'s focus remains on poverty reduction and discussions on tied aid are not a priority. Climate finance should contribute to sustainable agricultural outcomes. There was also a discussion on moving from isolated development interventions toward more integrated systems approaches - silos to systems. With regards to public engagement and support for international development, there was a discussion on potential government support for sector-wide initiatives. Additionally, there was discussion on the possibility of GAC conducting research to understand how civil society organizations (CSOs) engage Canadians on international development issues.
  • International development. Discussion about the strategic importance of international development aid to Canada's economy, national security and values. Additionally, we sought to understand the Conservative Party of Canada (CPC)'s position on aid and asked that resilient food systems be prioritized in the party's international development platform.
  • International development. Make resilient food systems an aid priority and ensure the development-trade approach focuses on poverty reduction. localization and sustainability. Official development assistance should continue to focus on gender and localization. in this regard, at least $5.5 billion of ODA per annum should go towards poverty reduction in developing countries. Climate finance should prioritize vulnerable groups, support biodiversity and minimize debt. Canada should triple climate finance to $15.9 billion for 2026-2031. The 5-year pledge announced in spring 2026 was much lower. We “welcomed” it and will continue to work on quality issues.
  • The purpose of the meeting was to introduce the Humanitarian Policy and Advocacy Group (HPAG) and position HPAG as a thought-partner and ally for Canada's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York, gaining the ear of the Ambassador and his team for future influencing; highlight the prominence of Canadian international non governmental organizations (INGOs) within the humanitarian sector globally, highlighting the proportion and significance of Canadian aid; and to understand the Ambassador’s priorities and key next steps as he embarks on a new mandate.
  • International Development. Discussion showcasing the results from our Nature Positive project which is part of the Partnering for Climate (P4C) program. The project responds to poverty and hunger, addressing climate change and building long-term economic resilience in sub-Saharan Africa. We asked for support in ensuring Canada’s next climate finance commitment prioritizes smallholder farmers and their communities in the Global South in adapting to climate change.
  • International development. Discussion on Canada's official development assistance (ODA) and the need for it to prioritize food security. As a global leader in agriculture and food, Canada should help communities around the world dealing with rising food prices, climate change and conflict by prioritizing support for agriculture and food systems in its ODA.
  • International development and international relations. Discussion on the importance of focusing on food security in humanitarian efforts, in light of the expected cuts to development funding. Additionally, discussion on the importance of official development assistance (ODA), alongside trade and economic stability to Canada, highlighting that ODA facilitates other aspects of international relationships.
  • Discussion about Canada's official development assistance, its value to Canadian foreign policy and an appeal for Canada not to reduce aid but to show global leadership following the USAID cuts and decreases in aid budgets by some donor countries.
  • Discussion about Canada's official development aid (ODA) and its value to Canadian foreign policy, as well as the need for Canada to contribute its fair share in terms of the percentage of aid per gross national income.
  • Canada's position on the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change negotiations with particular focus on the food security implications
  • Renegotiation of the Food Aid Convention with regard to Canadian leadership and improved effectiveness
  • GAC Feminist International Assistance Policy - Improve the effectiveness of the agricultural development component of this policy, particularly with regard to smallholder farmers.
  • Canadian Food Aid Policy with regard to improved effectiveness and impact

Registration 947056-82-51. Look it up in the official Registry

Reported meetings

Spreadsheet

From the Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying's open data, published November 5, 2026. Reports cover oral, arranged meetings with designated public office holders since November 22, 2021; lobbyists file them by the 15th of the following month. Names of MPs are matched to the current House of Commons, and bills are linked when the lobbyist's own description makes clear which bill it means. Contains information licensed under the Open Data Licence Agreement — Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying. Licence. PolitiKit is independent and is not endorsed by the Commissioner of Lobbying.