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Roland Butler, Opposition Human Resources, Labour and Employment Critic and
MHA for the District of Port de Grave, says this province should ban junk
food in schools the way the British government has done. He says such a ban
must be implemented with adequate funding to address the costs associated
with healthier meals. "Minister Hedderson must move forward with a ban on
junk food in cafeterias and vending machines in schools as a measure to
promote healthy eating among younger people in the province," said Butler.
"The underlying issue in this province concerning the banning of junk food
is the funding gap that will exist when revenue from such sales and
sponsorships is lost. I suspect vending machines and food contracts are
lucrative revenue sources at a time when there is not enough revenue from
government sources.
"It is the responsibility of government to talk with school boards and
parents and start to move towards healthier food options for school age
children. When banning junk food in schools, government should develop a
plan for schools to access alternative methods of raising money. Schools in
the province are already underfunded and this government is intent on
dancing around the junk food revenue issue rather than dealing with it
directly."
The Liberal MHA says parents are already expected to pay high school fees
and class sizes have increased and no further financial burden can be placed
on parents. "The Premier and the Minister of Finance talk a lot about
getting the finances of the province in shape for future generations.
Government is neglecting the future generations of people in this province
now when they refuse to make the proper investments in education and healthy
eating.
"The rapid rise in childhood obesity and evidence of the link between the
importance of a healthy diet and learning cannot be ignored. The Williams
government should be exploring what can be done to improve the situation in
this province and allocate adequate funds to make it happen. This should be
a well thought out policy rather than just a public relations exercise in
response to the banning junk food in other jurisdictions."
In Britain, junk food high in fat, salt or sugar will be banned from
school cafeterias, and vending machines will sell only healthy food and
drinks starting next September. In reaction to this announcement, the issue
has received increased media attention in Canada and several provinces have
recently announced initiatives to limit junk food in schools. Ontario has
banned the sale of chocolate bars, other candy and pop in elementary school
vending machines. British Columbia has promised to ban junk food within four
years from all public schools and the Nova Scotia government is consulting
with parents, educators and students on the matter.
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