Mr. Speaker, I rise today to table petition e-6623, calling on the House of Commons to create a national food assistance program.
The petitioners say this program is more essential than ever, especially among low-income people, people with disabilities, seniors and single adults with children. Access to food is one of the most basic human rights recognized in the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, of which Canada is a signatory. Canada currently has no national food assistance program, leaving countless people hungry at a time when food costs are soaring across the country. Nobody should have to choose between basic necessities like food, medication, housing or health care—