Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to present this petition regarding access to healthy food, which is critically important for a child's development but is often limited for Canadian children who live in poverty. Child and youth nutrition programs are cost-effective ways to encourage the development of lifelong healthy eating habits, support Canadian farmers and food producers in the development of local markets and reduce future health care costs.
The petitioners call upon Parliament to provide national leadership and support for child and youth nutrition programs from the ministries of health and agriculture and to develop partnerships with farmers, food producers, et cetera to stimulate economic development.
As Buzz Aldrin says, “If we can conquer space, we can conquer childhood hunger”.