Thanks, Minister.
Minister, nearly a quarter of Canadians report going hungry due to cost, and two million children across the country are at risk of going to school hungry. In the last election, both the Liberal Party and the NDP pledged to invest $1 billion, starting in 2022-23, to establish a national school nutritious meal program, to ensure that no child is forced to struggle through the day on an empty stomach.
Minister, you've wisely identified the importance of social determinants of health. Given that this is an important preventative health measure and that this commitment has not been fulfilled to date, can you confirm that funding will be included in the upcoming budget?