[October 18, 2024] Today, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland and Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew, alongside Families, Children and Social Development Minister Jenna Sudds and Northern Affairs Minister Dan Vandal, announced the governments of Canada and Manitoba have reached an agreement to expand school food programs in Manitoba.
This agreement, made possible by the federal government’s $1-billion National School Food Program, will enhance and expand Manitoba’s existing school food programs to provide meals to about 19,080 more kids every year, starting this school year.
When children have access to healthy food, they do better in school and are set up to succeed, noted Freeland. The federal government’s generational investments like the Canada Child Benefit, which provides families with up to nearly $8,000 per child, per year, help cover the costs of essentials children need. The federal government is building on this support by providing healthy meals at school, so children have what they need to learn, grow and succeed – regardless of their family’s circumstances.
Manitoba is the second province, after Newfoundland and Labrador, to sign an agreement with the federal government for the new National School Food Program. Today’s agreement includes an initial federal investment of approximately $17.2 million over the next three years to ensure more kids get the nutritious food they need to thrive.
The federal government invites all provinces and territories to help more kids get access to school food by reaching these agreements. It is one of the best investments governments can make to lower costs, support families and care for the next generation, noted Freeland.
With an investment of $1 billion over five years, the National School Food Program will feed up to 400,000 more kids across Canada every year. This is a generational investment, especially in the most vulnerable children, who are most impacted by a lack of access to food. Through today’s agreement, the federal government is helping children across Manitoba reach their full potential.
Quotes
“Giving our children the best start in life is an essential part of fairness for every generation. Today’s agreement with Manitoba will ensure that over 19,000 more children get the food they need at school, starting this year, while saving a family with two kids up to $800 on groceries annually. Our National School Food Program will cut costs for families and help build a Canada where every child is set up to succeed.” – Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland
“Kids can’t learn on an empty stomach. We made a commitment to Manitoba families that we’d make sure kids across our province had access to food when they go to school, and we’ve delivered on that promise. Kids across Manitoba can now get a meal or a snack when they need one, so they can concentrate, learn and reach their full potential.” – Premier Wab Kinew
“It’s wonderful to see another province partner with us to deliver our National School Food Program. This agreement with the Government of Manitoba means that more of the top-quality, local food that our hardworking farmers produce will reach kids who need it and help set them up for success in the classroom and beyond.” – Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lawrence MacAulay
“Today, we’re delivering a promise to the kids and parents of Manitoba—a promise that every child will have access to the healthy meals they need to succeed. It’s simple: when kids eat well, they learn better, play harder, and feel good. And for parents, it gives them peace of mind, knowing that their kids are getting the fuel they need to focus on just being kids. We will keep working to make sure that every family across Canada benefits from this program.” – Families, Children and Social Development Minister Jenna Sudds
“Every child deserves the best start in life. And that begins with ensuring that no one goes to school on an empty stomach. I’m incredibly proud that Manitoba is the second province to sign onto our National School Food Program, so we can fill the gap and make sure every child has the chance to thrive.” – Northern Affairs Minister Dan Vandal
Quick Facts
- In Budget 2024, the federal government launched a new National School Food Program www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/programs/school-food.html, providing $1 billion over five years, to provide meals for up to 400,000 more kids each year, ensuring all children have the food they need to have the best start in life, regardless of their family circumstances.
- The program is expected to save the average participating family with two children $800 per year in grocery costs, with lower-income families benefitting the most.
- Budget 2024’s investment of $1 billion over five years includes distinctions-based funding for First Nations on-reserve, as well as Inuit, Métis and modern treaty and self-government agreement holders. The federal government is working directly with Indigenous partners to rollout that funding, with more information to come.
- On June 20, 2024, the federal government released the National School Food Policy www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/programs/school-food/reports/national-policy.html, as the foundation for collaborative and complementary action by all orders of government to improve access to food at school.
- In addition to the National School Food Program, the federal government launched the new School Food Infrastructure Fund www.canada.ca/en/agriculture-agri-food/news/2024/09/minister-macaulay-announces-launch-of-new-school-food-infrastructure-fund-and-renewed-local-food-infrastructure-fund-to-improve-food-security-in-ca.html in September, which will deliver $20.2 million to help not-for-profit organizations invest in infrastructure and equipment to support school food programming across Canada.
- In addition to today’s $17.2 million federal investment, the Manitoba government is investing $30 million to create a universally accessible school nutrition program for 2024-2025, which will deliver funding through three streams:
- $15 million directly to Manitoba’s 37 school divisions;
- $6 million to 50 schools in communities with high socioeconomic need; and,
- $9 million in grants to community partners.
- To give every child the best start in life, the federal government is also:
- Giving families more money through the Canada Child Benefit www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/child-family-benefits/canada-child-benefit-overview.html to help with the costs of raising children and make a real difference in the lives of kids in Canada. The Canada Child Benefit, which is providing up to nearly $8,000 per child in 2024-25, is indexed annually to keep up with the cost of living and has helped lift hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty since its launch in 2016.
- Building a Canada-wide system for $10-a-day child care, which has already cut fees for regulated child care to an average of $10-a-day or less in over half of all provinces and territories, and by 50 per cent or more in all others.
- Rolling out the Canadian Dental Care Plan, which is already available for children under 18, with family incomes under $90,000, because no one should have to choose between taking care of their kids’ teeth and putting food on the table. Families are encouraged to apply online at www.Canada.ca/dental.
– 30 –