Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Good afternoon, everyone.
I would like to begin by acknowledging that we are gathered on the traditional territory of the Algonquin Anishinabe nation.
With me today is Paul Thompson, deputy minister of Employment and Social Development Canada.
It's a pleasure to be with you today.
Thank you to each and every one of you for the work you do on this committee.
I've been in the role of Secretary of State for Children and Youth for six months, and I've heard from Canadians across the country—people working hard to get ahead and people who elected a new government to make life more affordable and to invest more in our shared future. People are rightfully expecting to see workers and businesses prosper as we build Canada's strength at home and build an economy for Canadians, by Canadians.
We are currently going through a period where the rules and systems we need for our success are being called into question.
We need to spend less, so we can invest more in growing our economy and in protecting essential funding that makes life more affordable. That means protecting and strengthening supports like the Canada child benefit, the national school food program and affordable child care.
As the Prime Minister stated, “This is Canada. No child should go to school hungry or sit in a classroom all day wondering where their next meal will come from”.
In 2024, the Government of Canada invested $1 billion over five years to establish a national school food program. Agreements were quickly signed with all 10 provinces and three territories, as well as indigenous partners, to improve and expand their school food programs.
It's on the success of this initiative that budget 2025 proposes ongoing funding beginning in—