The Globe and Mail reports in its Friday edition that Ottawa is allocating $1-billion over the next decade to address food inflation and enhance Canada's food supply through a new National Food Security Strategy. The Globe's Jake Ross writes that experts believe the government's efforts may not significantly lower grocery prices. Food inflation in Canada has been consistent with its peers in the G7 since January, 2020, at 31 per cent. It recognizes that rising food costs are mostly beyond government control, with tariffs and climate change as key factors. University of Guelph economist Michael von Massow says, "The government, really to a significant degree, has their hands tied." The government's new strategy refers back to a 2023 Competition Bureau report that found Canada's grocery sector is lacking in competition, and seeks to address contributing factors. The plan includes a $1-billion "food-link fund" to build new food terminals, such as the Ontario Food Terminal located in Toronto, and food hubs, a type of food terminal for locally produced goods that reduces transportation distance. The strategy paper says this will help reduce small and independent grocers' reliance on major retailers' distribution chains.