Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has added some weight to the Manitoba government’s universal school nutrition program, set to roll out this fall, by announcing a five-year, $1 billion national program.
Manitoba’s per capita cost is expected to be more than $3 million a year, on top of the $30 million the province budgets for nutrition programs.
“We’re excited to partner with a progressive government here in Manitoba to help our children eat well and reach their full potential,” Trudeau said Friday at a news conference at Elwick Community School in Winnipeg. That’s wonderful.”
Educational Assistant Kim Gemmiliti (from left), Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development Jenna Suds, and Kevin Lamoureux MP serve students during the school lunch program at Elwick Community School in Winnipeg on Friday. prepare meals for (John Woods/Canadian Press)
Surrounded by children, Manitoba Education Minister Nero Altomare, Liberal MPs and Indigenous leaders, the premier said, “Together we can achieve great things.”
“I’m glad the federal government is joining us in this important effort,” Altomair told reporters at the Maples school.
He reiterated that the provincial government will spend $30 million on Manitoba programs and that additional federal funds will be used where the need is greatest.
Federal Minister for Families, Children and Social Development Jenna Suds said Manitoba already funds universal programs, so there will be no shortage.
“The dollars we bring in will expand that and give more kids access,” Suds said. “No one wants to see kids going hungry in school. We share these values and perspectives with the province. We want to ensure Manitoba gets its fair share.” We will make sure that we get it,” the minister said.
Altomair, a former school principal who has lobbied for such a program since he was elected in 2019, called it “supplemental funding that would really help us in the areas where we need it most.” called.
Funding for a universal school nutrition program run by the school division was part of last fall’s NDP election campaign.
After being elected, the NDP increased funding to the Manitoba Child Nutrition Council to $3.87 million annually.
We support nearly 400 school lunch programs that provide meals to 55,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade every day.
More funding for school nutrition from Ottawa is expected to further strengthen school nutrition programs.
Clara Barney, community nutritionist and program grants manager at the council, said: “This will enable them to expand their activities and buy a greater variety of nutritious foods.” Ta.
“We’re already hearing from schools that they’re able to buy more whole grains and fruit and add snacks at other times of the day,” she says.
Assembly of First Nations Chief Cindy Woodhouse-Nepinak released a statement praising the dedicated funding for Indigenous students in the new national program.
“Food insecurity remains a significant issue within First Nations, with rates exceeding the national average,” the Chief of Staff said in Friday’s announcement. “For students and families to begin benefiting from these investments this fall, funding must be paired with community-specific solutions developed in partnership with Indigenous peoples. “This includes culturally appropriate and comprehensive school lunch programs that provide children with access to healthy foods,” she said.
Prime Minister Trudeau said the government has committed $67 million to after-school learning, instruction and academic support to help students succeed, including Indigenous peoples and at-risk youth.
“We fight every day for a Canada where everyone has a real and fair chance to succeed,” Trudeau said, criticizing the opposition Conservative Party. “This is a choice that our government is making…that the Conservative Party opposes every time we take action on behalf of Canadians who need it.”
Friday’s announcement was preceded by a news release from Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poièvre. called out The “so-called” National School Lunch Program.
“According to the Liberal Party’s own calculations, the program is not as ‘universal’ as they like to claim, and is projected to cover only about 8 per cent of Canadian children (public school children are 400,000 people will be covered, compared to 5 million people),” Poilievre said. .
“I’m sure the millions of parents of the 92 per cent of ineligible children would be shocked to learn this because they would never know this based on Justin Trudeau’s dishonest photo shoot.” .”
carol sanders@freepress.mb.ca
carol sanders
parliamentary reporter
After 20 years of reporting on the growing diversity of people who call Manitoba home, Carroll moved to the Legislative Bureau in early 2020.
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