Non-state led policy developments and private governance implications: A case study of the Canadian Food Strategy

This paper looks at a case study of an industry-led initiative for developing a national food strategy for Canada during 2010-2014. Initiated by a think-tank, the Conference Board of Canada (CBoC), the Canadian Food Strategy (CFS) was a unique case showing the relationship between state and non-state actors in the development of a comprehensive federal food policy in Canada. Through this case study, I examine industry participation in a non-state led process of policy development. Using emerging trends from semi-structured and elite interviews, I argue that an increased involvement of the private sector in policy making processes does not imply an emergence of a private governance regime.