Honourable Wayne Easter and committee members, thank you for having me here.
I am here on behalf of the Prince Edward Island Home and School Federation, one of more than 40 members of the Coalition for Healthy School Food, which is coordinated by Food Secure Canada.
Approximately 20% of students in Canada receive a meal or a snack at school. We have a patchwork of school food programs across Canada, including here on P.E.I. Evidence shows that a national universal healthy school food program would increase children's consumption of healthy foods, reduce their risk of chronic diseases, improve mental health, improve educational outcomes, and increase graduation rates.
Also, a national school food program has the potential to create jobs and to grow national economies by investing in local agriculture and food businesses.
Today we are asking your government to invest $360 million in your next budget to partner with provinces, territories, municipalities, community groups, parents and other key stakeholders in funding a cost-shared program, estimated at $1.8 billion.
Your support will make a positive difference in the lives of our schoolchildren.
Thank you.