Hon. Marty Deacon: My question is regarding the school food program and is, of course, for the Government Representative, Senator Gold. It concerns the national school food program as we have heard over the last several years. Despite a $1-billion Liberal campaign commitment for federal funding to implement a national school food program, the budget, yet again, allocated no spending in this area. This has been an ongoing discussion for years, including way back when former Senator Eggleton brought this motion in the chamber, in 2018-19. I appreciate that consultations have been intense and thorough, have been held with stakeholders and they finished in December. A national school food program seems like an easy win for the government at a time when families are struggling with food prices and Canada remains the only G7 country without a school nutrition program.

My question is when the government will deliver on its commitment to fund a national school food program in Canada.