January 23, 2009 – As the federal government prepares to table its next budget, non-profit organizations have decided to challenge the Minister of Finance about child nutrition in the country.
In a recent letter to Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, these organizations reminded the government that, unlike most G-20 countries, Canada still does not have a national school nutrition program.
According to the Center for Science for the Public Interest (CSIP)1, instigator of the initiative, the only resources available come from the provinces, municipalities and certain non-profit organizations, such as Déjeuner pour Learning, and in Quebec, the Breakfast Club.
It is estimated that in total, these initiatives represent approximately $ 14 million annually, or the equivalent of 3.5 cents per student, and reach approximately 10% of elementary and secondary students, including children living on reserve. By comparison, funding for the school nutrition program in the United States is $ 1.24 per student, for a total of $ 12 billion.
“This is worrying considering that even before entering a recession, we were already witnessing an increase in the prices of foodstuffs (especially cereals and fruits and vegetables) and that the number of related health problems unhealthy diet has also increased in recent years, ”says Bill Jeffery of CSIP).
“Governments recognize the importance of investing in times of recession. Such a program is a good way to use public funds since, in addition to creating jobs, we are investing in children’s health. Currently, Canada’s budget is over $ 200 billion. How to justify that children’s nutrition is not among the priorities? He adds.
According to him, an amount of $ 1.2 billion ($ 1.50 per child, per day) per year would adequately meet all needs.
Claudia Morissette – HealthPassport.net
1. For more information on the Center for Science for the Public Interest: www.cspinet.org/canada.html.
