Prime Minister Justin Trudeau held a news conference today at Ecole Elmwood Community School in Winnipeg to announce the federal government’s plan to create a National School Food Program. Trudeau was joined by Minister of Families, Children and Social Development of Canada, Jenna Sudds, Dan Vandal Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal MP for Winnipeg North, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning, Nello Altomare, and Clara Birnie, Child Nutrition Council of Manitoba. The initiative, backed by a $1 billion pledge in the recent federal budget, aims to provide meals for up to 400,000 students annually.
Prime Minister Trudeau highlighted the government’s commitment to ensuring that children have access to nutritious meals, stating, “We need to make sure we’re doing everything we can to take care of our kids, not just for today but for tomorrow.”
The $1 billion investment will be spread over five years, targeting areas where existing programs do not reach, and will aim to alleviate food insecurity among children. Trudeau emphasized the importance of working with provincial and territorial governments, as well as local organizations, to effectively implement the program. He praised Manitoba’s progressive government for its collaboration and highlighted past initiatives that have successfully reduced child care costs and created more accessible spaces for children.
In response to questions about recent comments from CSIS Director David Vigneault warning Canadians against using TikTok, Trudeau acknowledged the potential threat posed by the Chinese-owned social media platform. “When the director of CSIS points out that TikTok poses a real threat to the data security of Canadians, I think Canadians need to listen,” he stated. Trudeau mentioned that federal devices have already been restricted from using TikTok and indicated that more organizations might follow suit. He stressed the importance of a broader conversation on digital safety and the government’s role in protecting Canadians online.
Addressing questions about Canada’s grocery code of conduct and how the government plans to ensure compliance, Trudeau noted the significance of Loblaw Companies Ltd. recently agreeing to the code. He expressed optimism that this would lead to greater transparency and competition in the grocery sector. “We need more transparency, more accountability, better competition within groceries because we know Canadians are having a hard time putting food on the table,” he said.
Trudeau also responded to Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s request to pause the approval of new safe drug supply sites and review existing ones. He emphasized the need for a science-based approach to address the opioid crisis, focusing on public health and community safety rather than criminalization. “We need to respond with the best science possible and with the best support for people struggling with addictions, always emphasizing community safety,” Trudeau explained.
During the conference, Trudeau also touched on several other topics:
Wildfire Response: Acknowledging the ongoing wildfire season, he detailed the joint investment with Manitoba to purchase over $38 million in firefighting equipment and support initiatives for training more firefighters.
Childhood Illness and Vaccination: Trudeau addressed the tragic news of a child’s death from measles in Ontario, emphasizing the importance of vaccination and urging parents to consult healthcare professionals to protect their children.
Canada Water Agency: He reiterated the commitment to establishing the Canada Water Agency in Winnipeg, which aims to protect freshwater resources and address issues like invasive species and water quality.
Trudeau concluded the conference by reiterating the government’s commitment to making life more affordable and ensuring every child has the opportunity to succeed.