After the 2025 Ontario election: What’s next?

The 2025 Ontario election is now behind us, and as the government begins its next term, one thing is clear: Food insecurity continues to rise at an alarming rate, and urgent action is needed.

Food banks across the province are experiencing record-breaking demand. In 2024, there were over 3.75 million visits to Daily Bread member food banks—a record high and more than 4.5 times pre-pandemic numbers.

Rising costs, stagnant incomes, and a lack of affordable housing are pushing more people into poverty, forcing them to make impossible choices between rent, bills, and food. Additionally, the impending U.S. tariffs could put further strain on people already struggling to make ends meet.

A powerful call for action

While the growing need is concerning, there is hope. This election, our clients, community, and sector came together to demand solutions. Thousands of Ontarians took action—sending letters to candidates, speaking up on social media, and attending events to make food insecurity a top election issue. Our Etobicoke-Lakeshore Candidates Debate was well attended, with voters engaging directly with candidates about the policies needed to end hunger in our province.

The message was clear: Food insecurity is not inevitable—it is a policy choice. And we have the tools to address it.

The work ahead

Daily Bread Food Bank remains committed to working with all elected officials—regardless of party affiliation—to push for bold policy solutions that tackle the root causes of hunger.

These include:

• Raising social assistance rates above the poverty line so that individuals and families can afford basic necessities.
• Building more deeply affordable and supportive housing to ensure people are not forced to choose between rent and food.
• Investing in good, stable jobs that provide a living wage and economic security.

The voices of our community have been heard loud and clear, and now it’s time for action. We will continue to advocate, collaborate, and push for change to ensure that no one goes hungry.

Join us

Ending food insecurity requires all of us—government, businesses, non-profits, and individuals—to work together. Whether you want to advocate, volunteer, or support our efforts, your involvement makes a difference.

Stay engaged, follow our advocacy work, and let’s keep up the momentum to build a future where everyone has access to the food they need to thrive.

Hunger is a policy choice. Together, we can choose solutions.

Use our online tool to demand action on poverty and hunger.