The federal government is seeking input on developing a national school feeding policy that will introduce meal programs to public schools nationwide.
“One in five Canadian children is at risk of going to school hungry on certain days,” it said on Nov. 16. release From Employment and Social Development Canada.
“School feeding programs help reduce hunger and food insecurity, improve children’s access to nutritious food, improve academic performance and achievement, and support families by reducing food costs. increase.”
The Liberals have committed to a nationwide school feeding policy for the 2021 federal election, saying they will “work with states, territories, local governments, Indigenous partners and stakeholders to develop programs.” .
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau ordered the creation of a meal program when Federal Minister of Family, Children and Social Development Karina Gould took office last fall.
The Liberals say the program will cost about $1 billion over five years.
The federal government is currently seeking feedback from Canadians on potential food policies through an online survey through December 16.
of questionnaire asks individuals for their views on the most “important objectives” for developing a national school feeding policy and their “experiences with current school feeding programs”.
The government is also seeking input on ways to “help feed more children while reducing stigma.”
“Programming (even if targeted) should ensure that students do not feel selected based on their family’s financial status,” the government said. discussion paper It is entitled “Consultations on Building School Feeding Policy Across Canada”.
“Neither should they [students] I am ashamed to have to take advantage of the school feeding program. ”
“Diverse Realities”
The discussion paper also said the country’s school feeding policy needs to account for the “diverse realities” of children and families, and the government is “directly engaged with indigenous partners, states and territories.” said.
“We recognize that indigenous peoples, Inuit and Métis have unique rights and priorities,” the paper said.
“For these reasons, experts and stakeholders recommend avoiding a one-size-fits-all approach to sharing a vision of Canadian school feeding. requires special consideration.The policy should be flexible enough to encourage programs that reflect community and cultural contexts.”
The Epoch Times contacted Gould’s office for more information on how the government would formulate multicultural food policies, but did not hear back immediately.
The consultation period is set for one month, but there is no timeline for when the school feeding policy will be completed.
Canadian Press contributed to this report.
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Peter Wilson is a reporter based in Ontario, Canada.