Statement made on 10 June 2008 by Senator Pana Merchant
Hon. Pana Merchant:
Honourable senators, I draw to the attention of
this house the compelling need for a national strategy for child nutrition.
Breakfast for Learning is a charity that works to improve child
nutrition.
Founded in 1992, the organization is dedicated solely to child welfare,
because every Canadian child who attends school needs to be well nourished so
that he or she can pay attention in class.
Breakfast for Learning is having an enormous impact in my province,
Saskatchewan, where I used to teach.
Since 1993, relying solely on community support, this program and its
distribution service have made a huge difference in the lives of disadvantaged
urban dwellers, people in rural areas and the First Nations communities in my
province.
This model of community distribution has encouraged local populations to get
involved and provide leadership. As a result, four of these programs are
operating at present and no longer need government assistance.
Good nutrition is not simply an issue of poverty. The children of affluent
families are not without poor eating habits. Childhood diabetes and obesity defy
socio-economic barriers.
Our negligence on these issues could have real consequences at the national
level. Basic and advanced education, health care costs, good physical fitness
and national productivity are all dependent on nutritional criteria. Awareness
of these issues is limited and uneven.
I commend the work of those pursuing a national nutrition strategy, and I
urge everyone to learn more about it and to become actively engaged in the work
of those involved in Breakfast for Learning.
Wendy Wong is the national President. The Saskatchewan coordinator is Kelly
Berlinic, and Jean MacKay is the one who has pressed my commitment to this
pioneer organization for good nutrition that is making a difference for
Canadians.
This chamber and all Canadians should support the great work of this
ambitious organization