Mothers as a Policy Response: A mixed-methods policy analysis of Canada’s response to the 2022 infant formula shortage

Master of Arts (Political Science) candidate: Ruby Harrington

10 December 2025

1:00 PM Atlantic

Hybrid Defence

BAC 325

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Meeting ID: 299 456 582 892 15
Passcode: 8Ko6S3LR

Thesis Committee:

Dr. Erin Crandall, Supervisor
Dr. Tammy Findlay, MSVU, External Examiner
Dr. Rachel Brickner, Internal Examiner
Dr. Lydia Bouzar-Benlabiod, Chair of the defence

Abstract

This thesis investigates the policy response of the Canadian government in reaction to the 2022 infant formula shortage. Specifically, this study aims to assess the efficacy of the policy response, and its impacts on caregivers, primarily mothers. Drawing from feminist political economy and social reproduction theory, this thesis uses an adapted Gender-Based Analysis Plus framework to investigate the effectiveness of the federal government’s response to the shortage. Interviews and survey results with caregivers from across the country are used to describe the experiences of caregivers, their confidence in vital Canadian institutions, and potential solutions going forward. This thesis reveals that the policy responses of the federal government were insufficient to adequately address the infant formula shortage, and that caregivers, primarily mothers, had to take on substantial additional socially reproductive labour to ensure that their babies were fed. Additionally, this thesis comments on the importance of public trust in government, specifically amongst mothers, and critiques the federal government’s current Sex- and Gender-Based Analysis Plus framework. Based on these findings, this thesis makes recommendations on what the federal government can do to prevent and mitigate the impacts of future infant formula shortages.

About Ruby…

Ruby Harrington received her Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Politics at Acadia University is 2024, and is currently pursuing her Master of Arts at Acadia. Her research interests include social policy in Canada and social reproduction, as seen in her thesis on the 2022 infant formula shortage, and the federal government’s response to it. In addition to her thesis work, she has contributed to the Nova Scotia Report Card on Child and Family Poverty since 2022, and co-authored the 2024 report. Ruby is passionate about social justice and food security, and hopes to influence public policy with her research.