Ottawa joins Manitoba's school meal program – Winnipeg Free Press

Premier Justin Trudeau has added some spice to the Manitoba government's universal school meal program, which will roll out this fall by announcing a five-year, $1 billion national program.

Manitoba's per capita contribution is expected to be more than $3 million a year, on top of the $30 million the province has budgeted for its nutrition program.

“It's great to partner with a progressive government in Manitoba to make sure kids are well-nourished and reach their full potential,” Trudeau said at a press conference at Elwick Community School in Winnipeg on Friday.

“When we work together, we can achieve great things,” said Manitoba Education Minister Nello Altomare, the premier, who was joined by Liberal MPs and First Nation leaders.

“We are delighted that the federal government is joining us in this important initiative,” Altomare told reporters at Maples School.

He reiterated that the provincial government will spend $30 million on the Manitoba program and that additional federal money will be spent where the need is greatest.

Jenna Sudds, the federal minister for families, children and social development, said Manitoba will not get a short cut because it is funding a universal program.

“The dollars we bring in increase that so more kids have access,” Sudds said. “No one wants to see school children hungry. We share these values ​​and this perspective with the province. We will ensure Manitoba gets its fair share,” the minister said.

Former director Altomare, who has supported such a program since being elected in 2019, called it “additional funding that will really help us in the area where we need it most.”

Funding for a universal school meal program run by school divisions was part of the NDP's election campaign last fall.

After being elected, the NDP increased funding to the Manitoba Child Nutrition Board to $3.87 million annually.

It supports nearly 400 school programs that feed 55,000 kindergarten through 12th grade students daily.

More money for school meals from Ottawa is expected to further strengthen school meal programs.

“It gives them an opportunity to expand what they're doing, to buy a variety of nutritious foods,” said Clara Birney, the council's nutritionist and program grants manager.

“I'm already hearing from schools that they can buy more whole grains, more fruit, and add snacks at different times of the day,” she said.

Assembly of First Nations Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak welcomed the special funding for First Nations students in the new national program in a statement.

“Food insecurity remains a significant issue in First Nations, with levels exceeding the national average,” the chief said in a statement Friday. “Funding must be combined with community-based solutions developed in partnership with First Nations so that students and families can begin to benefit from these investments this fall. This includes culturally appropriate, whole school food programs that ensure every First Nations child has access to healthy foods,” she said.

Trudeau has pledged $67 million in after-school learning, mentoring and academic assistance to help his government succeed, including Indigenous and at-risk youth.

“Every day we are fighting for a Canada where everyone has a real and fair chance to succeed,” Trudeau said, firing back at the opposition Tories. “That's the choice our government is making … The Conservative Party is opposed every time we step up for Canadians who need it.”

A news release from Conservative Leader Pierre Polievre ahead of Friday's announcement called “so-called” national school food program.

“According to the Liberals' own estimates, the program is 'universal' and is estimated to cover only about eight per cent of Canadian children (400,000 against five million children in public schools),” said Polievre. .

“I'm sure the millions of parents of the 92 percent of unencumbered children will be shocked to learn that, because you wouldn't know that based on Justin Trudeau's dishonest photos.”

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Carol Sanders
Legislative reporter

After 20 years reporting on the diversity of people who call Manitoba home, Carol moved to the Legislative Bureau in early 2020.

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