Bill C-322

National Framework for a School Food Program Act

An Act to develop a national framework to establish a school food program

Sponsor

Serge Cormier Liberal

Introduced as a private member’s bill. (These don’t often become law.)

Status

Third reading (House), as of Sept. 17, 2024

Subscribe to a feed (what's a feed?) of speeches and votes in the House related to Bill C-322.

Summary

This is from the published bill.

This enactment provides for the development of a national framework to establish a school food program to ensure that all children in Canada have access to healthy food.

Elsewhere

All sorts of information on this bill is available at LEGISinfo, an excellent resource from Parliament. You can also read the full text of the bill.

Bill numbers are reused for different bills each new session. Perhaps you were looking for one of these other C-322s:

C-322 (2021) An Act to amend the Department of Public Works and Government Services Act (community benefit)

C-322 (2016) An Act to amend the Railway Safety Act (road crossings)

C-322 (2013) An Act to amend the Health of Animals Act and the Meat Inspection Act (slaughter of horses for human consumption)

C-322 (2011) An Act to amend the Health of Animals Act and the Meat Inspection Act (slaughter of horses for human consumption)

Votes

Dec. 6, 2023 Passed 2nd reading of Bill C-322, An Act to develop a national framework to establish a school food program

Debate Summary

This is a computer-generated summary of the speeches below. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.

Bill C-322 aims to create a national framework for a school food program in Canada. It directs the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development to consult with various stakeholders, including provincial and territorial governments, Indigenous governing bodies, and the Minister of Health, to develop this framework. The framework seeks to ensure all children have access to healthy food in schools, considering factors like nutritional criteria, cultural diversity, Indigenous priorities, stigma reduction, local food systems, and healthy food education.

Liberal

Supports national framework: The Liberals support Bill C-322, which aims to create a national framework for a school food program to ensure all Canadian children have access to healthy food. They believe this is crucial social legislation and an opportunity to address food insecurity among students.
Collaboration is key: Acknowledging provincial jurisdiction over education, the Liberals emphasize the need for collaboration between all levels of government to achieve the bill's goals. They point to successful models of intergovernmental cooperation in other areas as examples of what can be achieved.
Addressing student needs: The Liberals highlight the negative impacts of food insecurity on students, including poor academic performance, social isolation, and mental health challenges. They argue that a national school food program can improve attendance, foster better learning outcomes, and promote inclusivity by ensuring all children have access to nutritious meals.
Benefits beyond nutrition: The Liberals envision the program not only addressing child hunger but also supporting local food production, creating jobs, and contributing to food security and sustainability. They see it as a way to support farmers and agricultural producers while providing relief to struggling families.

Conservative

Provinces' jurisdiction: The Conservatives argue that establishing a school food program falls under provincial jurisdiction, particularly concerning education, charitable activities, and municipal institutions, as outlined in the Constitution Act, 1867.
Axe the carbon tax: The Conservative party suggests that the bill is unnecessary, and that the carbon tax is the primary driver of rising food costs. They suggest that axing the carbon tax would alleviate financial pressures on families, making food more affordable without the need for government programs.
Bill is performative: The Conservatives criticize the bill as being performative and inadequate, arguing that it focuses on reports and reviews rather than addressing the root causes of food insecurity. They suggest it won't provide immediate relief to families struggling with the rising cost of groceries.
Admission of Liberal failure: The Conservatives frame the bill as an admission of the Liberal government's failure to fulfill its past promises of implementing a national lunch program. They highlight the increasing reliance on food banks and the overall economic struggles faced by Canadian families under the current government's policies.

NDP

Strong support for bill C-322: The NDP strongly supports bill C-322, advocating for a national school food program to ensure every child has access to nutritious food. They emphasize that addressing gaps in the social safety net is crucial to combat child hunger and poverty.
Liberals slow to act: The NDP criticizes the Liberals for delays in implementing a promised national school program, while acknowledging the current bill as a step forward. They highlight that millions of kids are still going to school hungry due to the lack of action.
Basic human right: The NDP frames access to healthy food as a basic human right, particularly for children whose learning is impaired by hunger. They stress the importance of providing food with dignity and addressing systemic issues that lead to food insecurity.
Patchwork programs insufficient: The NDP highlights the inadequacy of current school food programs, which rely on NGOs, volunteers, and private donors. They advocate for a fully funded national program to meet the needs of children across the country and improve Canada's standing among peer nations.

Bloc

Supports school food programs: The Bloc supports the intention of the bill to create a national school food program, acknowledging that children need adequate nutrition to succeed academically and socially. Members emphasize the importance of addressing food insecurity to ensure children can reach their full potential.
Provincial jurisdiction: The Bloc raises concerns about the federal government encroaching on provincial jurisdiction, as education and health fall under provincial responsibility according to the Constitution. Members insist that Quebec and other provinces should have the right to opt out of the national program with full compensation if they prefer to run their own school food initiatives.
Urges collaboration, not centralization: Instead of dictating a national framework, the Bloc suggests the federal government should transfer funds directly to Quebec and other provinces, allowing them to manage their own school food programs. Members call for a collaborative approach that respects provincial autonomy and enables provinces to tailor programs to their specific needs and circumstances.

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National Framework for a School Food Program ActPrivate Members' Business

November 1st, 2023 / 6:20 p.m.

The Assistant Deputy Speaker Carol Hughes

I want to remind members there is some flexibility when it comes to debate. The hon. member just brought it back to how it pertains to the debate, and so I will allow the hon. member to continue her speech.

The hon. member for Lambton—Kent—Middlesex has the floor.

National Framework for a School Food Program ActPrivate Members' Business

November 1st, 2023 / 6:20 p.m.

Conservative

Lianne Rood Conservative Lambton—Kent—Middlesex, ON

Madam Speaker, Governor Macklem said there are two separate questions. The governor said, “...how much are the increases in the carbon tax adding to inflation each year? That number is about .15 percentage points of inflation. That's the direct impact on those three components.”

National Framework for a School Food Program ActPrivate Members' Business

November 1st, 2023 / 6:20 p.m.

NDP

Jenny Kwan NDP Vancouver East, BC

Madam Speaker, I rise on the same point of order. I am just trying to seek clarity from you on what the topic at hand is that we are supposed to be discussing and whether the member is actually following those rules.

National Framework for a School Food Program ActPrivate Members' Business

November 1st, 2023 / 6:20 p.m.

The Assistant Deputy Speaker Carol Hughes

Again, I want to indicate there is some flexibility as to what a member speaks about during her speech or his speech when they are showing the relevance to the bill. I am sure the hon. member will be mentioning the bill and will be adding to how this actually impacts the bill before the House.

The hon. member for Lambton—Kent—Middlesex has the floor, and I am sure she will be bringing it back around.

National Framework for a School Food Program ActPrivate Members' Business

November 1st, 2023 / 6:20 p.m.

Conservative

Lianne Rood Conservative Lambton—Kent—Middlesex, ON

Madam Speaker, the three components the governor referred were those raised by my colleague, which were gasoline, diesel fuel and natural gas. Governor Macklem continued—

National Framework for a School Food Program ActPrivate Members' Business

November 1st, 2023 / 6:20 p.m.

NDP

Leah Gazan NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB

Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order. With the kind of behaviour I have seen from the Conservative Party, first the leader of the Conservative Party refusing to sit down, there seems to be a total disregard for rules and for Speaker of the House. I am starting to get frustrated. This is an important matter: Kids are starving when they are going to school. For some respect for families and kids who are struggling, can we actually talk about children being hungry in schools and stay on topic?

Standing Order 11(2) is constantly being disregarded.

National Framework for a School Food Program ActPrivate Members' Business

November 1st, 2023 / 6:20 p.m.

The Assistant Deputy Speaker Carol Hughes

The hon. member is bringing up a point of debate as opposed to a point of order. There is some flexibility as to relevancy, so we just need to allow the hon. member to continue with her speech for a bit to make sure it does show relevancy.

National Framework for a School Food Program ActPrivate Members' Business

November 1st, 2023 / 6:20 p.m.

Conservative

Larry Maguire Conservative Brandon—Souris, MB

Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order. Of course I would be surprised if the NDP was not embarrassed by its coalition with the Liberal Party because of the inflation that has been caused—

National Framework for a School Food Program ActPrivate Members' Business

November 1st, 2023 / 6:20 p.m.

Some hon. members

Oh, oh!

National Framework for a School Food Program ActPrivate Members' Business

November 1st, 2023 / 6:20 p.m.

The Assistant Deputy Speaker Carol Hughes

I have already ruled on the point of order. This is now becoming more of a point of debate.

I will allow the hon. member to continue with her speech, and I know there is going to be some relevancy.

The hon. member for Lambton—Kent—Middlesex can continue.

National Framework for a School Food Program ActPrivate Members' Business

November 1st, 2023 / 6:20 p.m.

Conservative

Lianne Rood Conservative Lambton—Kent—Middlesex, ON

Madam Speaker, I will try again. At this rate, eliminating the carbon tax by the Bank of Canada—

National Framework for a School Food Program ActPrivate Members' Business

November 1st, 2023 / 6:20 p.m.

An hon. member

Oh, oh!

National Framework for a School Food Program ActPrivate Members' Business

November 1st, 2023 / 6:20 p.m.

Conservative

Lianne Rood Conservative Lambton—Kent—Middlesex, ON

Pardon me, Madam Speaker, can I please revert back to the page before and start my time, because I have been interrupted about five—

National Framework for a School Food Program ActPrivate Members' Business

November 1st, 2023 / 6:25 p.m.

The Assistant Deputy Speaker Carol Hughes

The time was stopped for the points of order, and so it has not impacted on the hon. member's time.

National Framework for a School Food Program ActPrivate Members' Business

November 1st, 2023 / 6:25 p.m.

Conservative

Lianne Rood Conservative Lambton—Kent—Middlesex, ON

Madam Speaker, Governor Macklem continued by responding to the second question, which was what the effect on inflation would be if the carbon tax were to be eliminated. He said that it would create a one-time drop in inflation of 0.6%.

If the carbon tax were eliminated, it would result in a drop in inflation of 0.6%. The overall inflation rate is currently at about 3.2%. At that rate, eliminating the carbon tax, by the Governor of the Bank of Canada's estimate, would reduce inflation by more than 18%.

The lead author of Canada's Food Price Report 2023, Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, has pointed out that the carbon tax has made business expenses go up. Dr. Charlebois points to “the compounding effect” up and down the food chain, as the supply chain is exposed to increased costs from the carbon tax. Let us take a look at that supply chain and why food is costing more.

The carbon tax increases costs for heating greenhouses, as well as dairy, poultry and hog barns. It increases costs for running the machinery necessary for production operations, especially the cost of electricity. In fact, in 2020, according to Statistics Canada, production costs for greenhouses were up 31.8% above the 10-year average. In 2021, the latest year for which facts are available from Statistics Canada, greenhouse costs were up 9.3% over those of 2020. Electricity costs for greenhouses were up in 2021 by 8.2% over 2020. Other fuel costs were up 7.7% over those of 2020.

In case anybody does not see that this is a problem, Statistics Canada reports that, as of 2021—