Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Good morning to my colleagues.
MP Cormier, thank you for this initiative. It's wonderful. If I am correct, we're the only country in the G7 that doesn't have a national food program or some sort of national standards.
Mr. Chair, you know that you always hit a nerve with the Conservatives when you come forth with programs. I mean, the member opposite said it very clearly: Get government out of the way.
At times, we believe that government can come forth with transformational programs that help people, that can change lives, whether it's the Canada child benefit, which the Conservatives voted against, the dental program, which the Conservatives voted against, the national child care program, which the Conservatives voted against, or the national housing strategy, which the Conservatives voted against. I think the track record speaks for itself.
Look, I've been fortunate and blessed to participate at some schools in my riding. Ward 3 in my riding, which is basically uptown Saint John, has over 50% child poverty. If those children don't get a good meal—a good breakfast to start their day—at school, they don't eat, because it's not supplied to them at home. We can drill down as to the reasons, but in the end, there's a very chronic problem here, and there's a need.
The program is very worthwhile. Again, I thank you for bringing it forward. I do have some questions for you, though.
Can you talk to me, MP Cormier, about the main health benefits for students who participate in school food programs?