The language in the bill I do really like is about food as a social equalizer. It's also an opportunity for connection. I challenge all of you around this room to think of some of the best memories you have with family and friends. You were probably eating and maybe even drinking and enjoying that together. The opportunity to provide that for children, to model those environments in line with Canada's food guide and to develop a healthy relationship with food is important in this era for all students.
I think it's really important that we look at the opportunities we're providing as part of education. To me, lunch and breakfast and eating are things we can no longer leave out of conversations around what education is for and what role it plays. I think we're missing out on massive opportunities if we're not looking at that.
Not to talk just about my own program, because there are many great programs across Canada, but I wish I could invite you all into the lunchroom at Lord Roberts when we have LunchLAB. If we could do that, you would see that it works. You would see children laughing and talking and serving themselves generously from the salad bar and eating delicious food.
We have a short film that's seven minutes long and was produced for CBC. Search for “LunchLAB” in YouTube and you'll see it. We're not talking about the lowest common denominator of just making sure kids are fed. We're talking about kids who are thriving and who are learning new skills. I think that if you watch it, you will ask, “How would all students not benefit from a program like this?”