QUESTION PERIOD — Employment and Social Development
National School Food Program
June 18, 2024
My question is for the Government Representative in the Senate of Canada and is in regard to the implementation of the national school food program.
We heard that there would be bilateral agreements with provinces and territories for funding transfers targeting implementation as early as the 2024-25 school year. Senator Gold, has the government signed agreements with provinces and territories for the national school food program as of now? If not, when do you expect those agreements to be signed?
Thank you for your question and for highlighting this very important program for children and their families.
I’m not aware of any signed agreements with the provinces and territories at this time. However, the government is working to ensure the program is rolled out as soon as possible. As mentioned in the budget, the federal government will work with provincial, territorial and Indigenous governments to deliver the national school food program, with support beginning as early as the 2024-25 school year.
Senator Gold, last year 30 schools in Windsor-Essex County were on the waiting list for approval to Ontario’s Student Nutrition Program. The national school food program is proposed to have an impact on over 400,000 students across Canada. The program’s implementation is crucial for over 36,000 elementary school students in the Windsor-Essex region.
School food programs have a positive impact on school attendance, achievements and health outcomes. Our kids can’t wait. Senator Gold, could you confirm the current number of schools in Canada that are awaiting approval, and what steps are being taken —
Thank you for the question.
I’m not in a position to specify the number of schools that are waiting for approval through the provincial plans, Ontario’s being one you mentioned, but I can say that the government is making every effort to roll this program out in partnership with the provincial, territorial and Indigenous governments. I have every confidence the government will deliver on its promise, as it has done, colleagues, with the early learning and child care agreements that were entered into.
