Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks to media at the federal ministers cabinet retreat in Halifax, Monday, Aug. 26, 2024. Trudeau says his government has signed a deal to expand school food programs in Newfoundland and Labrador. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Kelly Clark
OTTAWA – The federal Liberals have signed a deal to expand school food programs in Newfoundland and Labrador, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Wednesday.
It becomes the first province to sign on to the federal government’s plan for a national school food program.
As part of the deal, Newfoundland and Labrador will receive approximately $9.1 million over three years.
Trudeau’s government set aside $1 billion over five years in the last budget to expand access to provincial school food after the NDP put pressure on the Liberals to fund the program.
The announcement came as the NDP said it is pulling out of a supply and confidence deal with the Liberals, which saw the New Democrats support the government on key votes in exchange for progress on shared priorities.
The government says the money announced Wednesday will allow the province to expand school food programs to 4,100 more children this school year.
A government official says First Nations on reserve have already received funding for this school year, but details have not yet been released.
Negotiations with other provinces and territories are still underway. The official, who was not authorized to speak publicly, said Trudeau met with Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew last week and expects to announce a deal with that province in coming weeks.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 4, 2024.
