“Everyone deserves safe, healthy food. I want the minister to explain how the new $20 million for food programs will be shared across the country and how it will help Canadians.”

“Mr. Speaker, food insecurity is not just a problem for Canadians. It is a global challenge. No matter one’s circumstances, everyone deserves access to safe, nutritious food. In my riding of Spadina—Harbourfront, local food banks, such as Spadina-Fort York Community Care at the Waterfront Neighbourhood Centre, work tirelessly to support our community. The local food infrastructure fund has been an integral tool for supporting these organizations and earlier this year, our government announced a new $20-million community support stream. Can the minister please update the House on how this funding will be distributed across the country and the impact it is going to have for Canadians?”

“We are helping people get food right now. We are giving up to $10 million each to Food Banks Canada and Second Harvest to share with food banks across the country. We are also working on a plan to keep food secure in the future.”

“Mr. Speaker, the government is taking immediate action through the groceries and essentials benefit, through the school of food program and through the local food infrastructure fund community support stream. Food Banks Canada and Second Harvest will both receive up to $10 million. These two recipients will distribute that food to eligible food banks and not-for-profit, community-based organizations across the country. We are focused on the present, but we are also building our national food security strategy for the future.”