Ottawa, June 12 -- Canada on Thursday launched its first National Food Security Strategy, pledging more than C$3 billion ($2.2 billion) over the next decade to strengthen domestic food production, increase grocery competition and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers.

According to a statement, the plan includes C$1 billion for food infrastructure projects such as new food terminals and distribution hubs intended to support independent grocers and improve access to competitively priced products.

The government will also allocate nearly C$130 million to strengthen enforcement against anti-competitive practices in the grocery sector.

A further C$1 billion will be directed to a new Agri-food Project Finance Fund administered by Farm Credit ...