National

Liberals plan talks to launch school food program before end of next school year

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 20 Jun, 2024 11:15 AM

Families Minister Jenna Sudds says the government hopes to see kids getting meals from the national school food program before the end of the next school year, but it will take time for organizations to scale up their operations.

The Liberals set aside $1 billion over five years for the program, which they promised during the 2021 election campaign.

Sudds says the deals will be similar in nature to the child-care agreements the government signed with provinces and territories to lower the cost of daycare.

Our National School Food Policy is an important stepping stone in ensuring that children don’t have to learn on an empty stomach. 🍏🍎

Here’s what you need to know! pic.twitter.com/d1QiFpMk5e
— Jenna Sudds (@JennaSudds) June 20, 2024

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the new policy that will guide those negotiations at a press conference in Nova Scotia today.

The school food program will largely rely on existing organizations that already feed kids, and it's aimed at eliminating stigma.

Sudds says that means lunch, breakfast or snack programs should be available to all the children in a school.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

U.S. launches Round 2 in dairy dispute with Canada

U.S. trade officials and dairy industry advocates say a large share of those quotas were being allocated to processors rather than producers. The U.S. says the federal government amended its policies, but that the new procedures remain "inconsistent" with the terms of the agreement, known as USMCA in the U.S. and CUSMA in Canada.

U.S. launches Round 2 in dairy dispute with Canada

Lower mainland residents wake up to snow on Tuesday morning

Snow created slick conditions on the roads and caused delays for commuters in traffic. There were also crashes on many routes of Vancouver and South of the Fraser. Cars got stuck up the hill and there were major delays in transit throughout the day.

Lower mainland residents wake up to snow on Tuesday morning

Experts call for enforcement of new LTC standards

The Health Standards Organization released updated standards Tuesday that say residents should get at least four hours of direct care every day. The standards from the panel of experts at the non-profit standards organization also say those who work in those residences must be paid more.

Experts call for enforcement of new LTC standards

GM to invest US$650 million in Lithium Americas

Lithium is a key component in batteries used by electric vehicles. In the first tranche of the investment deal, GM spend US$320 million for 15 million shares or a 9.999 per cent stake in Lithium Americas.

GM to invest US$650 million in Lithium Americas

Decriminalization starts as OD death data released

Health Canada approved B.C.'s application for decriminalization through an exemption from federal drug laws so people 18 and over could carry up to 2.5 grams of opioids such as heroin and fentanyl, as well as crack and powdered cocaine, methamphetamine and MDMA. Users will not be arrested or have their drugs seized by police in what is a three-year pilot project.

Decriminalization starts as OD death data released

Fraser Valley bus drivers give strike notice

The union has 213 members including drivers, utility workers, bus washers and mechanics. It says the two sides have engaged in more than 20 days of bargaining since talks began in late spring 2022.