Bill C-252

Child Health Protection Act

An Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act (prohibition of food and beverage marketing directed at children)

This enactment amends the Food and Drugs Act to prohibit the marketing of prescribed foods directed at persons under 13 years of age.

Canadian Malnutrition Awareness Week

[Patricia Lattanzio, Liberal, Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, QC]

Mr. Speaker, next week, from October 7 to 11, Canadian Malnutrition Awareness Week will be taking place. Malnutrition is a serious challenge that has deep and long-lasting developmental, economic, social and medical impacts on individuals and communities. From under-nourishment to poor diet, millions of children across the world suffer serious consequences each year.

Here in Canada, our government has fortunately taken concrete action to address this problem with our national school food program, which will enable thousands of children to go to school with full bellies so they can reach their full potential.

My Bill C-252 is also an important step toward a future where all children in Canada will be assured of high-quality food that protects their health and their future.

There is still more work to be done. Therefore, let us continue to improve and promote a healthy diet.

Health

[Patricia Lattanzio, Liberal, Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, QC]

Mr. Speaker, last week, members of this House voted on my private member's bill, Bill C-252, which aims to prohibit the marketing of unhealthy foods and beverages to children aged 13 and under. While the Bloc and the NDP voted in favour of this initiative to protect the health of children, the Conservatives voted against it, once again demonstrating that the health of Canadians is always their last priority.

Could the Minister of Health please speak to the importance of the child health protection act?

[Jean-Yves Duclos, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, first of all, I want to thank the member for Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel for her question, her leadership and her focus on the importance of protecting people's health.

That is why we are so proud of her bill, Bill C‑252, which protects children from the effects of food and beverage marketing. That is why we are introducing a new food guide and improving food labelling to help people make better food choices. That is why budget 2023 includes $10 million in funding for Participaction to help people, particularly youth, to increase their physical activity.

[Sean Casey, Liberal, Charlottetown, PE]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the following two reports of the Standing Committee on Health.

The committee's 12th report concerns the main estimates 2023-24.

In addition, I present the 13th report, in relation to Bill C-252, an act to amend the Food and Drugs Act, on the prohibition of food and beverage marketing directed at children.

The committee has studied the bill and has decided to report the bill back to the House with amendments.

Committees of the House

[The Speaker, Anthony Rota]

Pursuant to order made on Thursday, June 23, the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion to concur in the eighth report of the Standing Committee on Health concerning the extension of time to consider Bill C-252.

Health

[Sean Casey, Liberal, Charlottetown, PE]

Mr. Speaker, the eighth report is entitled “Bill C-252, An Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act (prohibition of food and beverage marketing directed at children)”.