MOUNT STEWART, P.E.I. — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau travelled to a public faculty in jap Prince Edward Island Friday the place he introduced $7.1 million in federal help over three years for the Island’s faculty meals program.
MOUNT STEWART, P.E.I. — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau travelled to a public faculty in jap Prince Edward Island Friday the place he introduced $7.1 million in federal help over three years for the Island’s faculty meals program.
The cash is from Ottawa’s $1-billion, five-year common, nationwide faculty meals program that was promised throughout the 2021 election marketing campaign and introduced as a part of the 2024 finances. P.E.I. is the fourth province to signal on to this system, becoming a member of Newfoundland and Labrador, Manitoba and Ontario.
The prime minister mentioned direct monetary assistance is essential throughout a time when persons are being “squeezed” due to the excessive price of dwelling.
Trudeau mentioned the funding would add to the Island’s present faculty meals program offering hundreds extra breakfasts and snacks to college students.
“This is about knowing that there will be good nutritious food that they (students) can get as they need it at school … and extra pressure off parents,” mentioned Trudeau. In line with a information launch, a two-child household on the Island would save a mean of $800 yearly on grocery bills in the event that they use this system.
The funding can even help meals transportation and storage together with the acquisition of preparation gear and end in an estimated 438,000 extra meals served throughout the present faculty yr.
The P.E.I. program has two streams: a free breakfast and snack program that has been working since 2008, and a “pay-as-you-can” lunch program, which has been serving meals since 2020. Through the 2023-24 faculty yr the applications served about 23,000 college students.
Premier Dennis King joined the prime minister for the announcement in Mount Stewart and introduced that his authorities would add $15 million on high of the federal three-year contribution.
King mentioned the Island’s program has served 850,000 meals in faculties this yr and is on monitor to serve a million meals in 2025.
“It is probably the most complete program of its type in Canada,” he mentioned. “It’s universal, it’s provincial in scope and it’s accessible.”
King mentioned this system obtains a few of its meals by way of native sourcing that helps Island farms.
“When our college students are effectively fed they will take part of their research … and turn into the residents we’d like them to be,” he mentioned.
P.E.I. has 75 faculties with just below 22,000 college students.
This report by The Canadian Press was first revealed Nov. 29, 2024.
Hina Alam, The Canadian Press
