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National School Food Program Act (S.C. 2026, c. 3, s. 599)

Act current to 2026-04-28

National School Food Program Act

S.C. 2026, c. 3, s. 599

Assented to 2026-03-26

An Act respecting the National School Food Program

[Enacted by section 599 of chapter 3 of the Statutes of Canada, 2026, in force on assent March 26, 2026.]
Preamble

Whereas the Government of Canada recognizes the beneficial effects of school food programs on the well-being of children, youth and families, on the economic participation and prosperity of children, youth and families and on Canada’s economy and social infrastructure;

Whereas the Government of Canada, through the National School Food Program, collaborates with and provides funding to the provinces, the territories and Indigenous governing bodies to enhance and expand school food programs, which aim to provide nutritious food to children and youth across Canada;

Whereas the National School Food Policy sets out the Government of Canada’s long-term vision for the Program, which is that all children and youth in Canada have access to nutritious food at school that supports their development and enables them to reach their full potential, and the principles and objectives that guide the Government of Canada in achieving that vision;

Whereas the Government of Canada recognizes the role of the provinces, the territories and Indigenous governing bodies in delivering school food programs and is committed to cooperating, collaborating and maintaining partnerships with them in order to support them in delivering the programs;

Whereas the Government of Canada is committed to supporting the ongoing implementation and maintenance of the Program, which aims to contribute to meeting the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations and Canada’s international human rights obligations, including those under the Convention on the Rights of the Child;

Whereas the Government of Canada recognizes the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action and strongly supports and continues to engage with Indigenous peoples;

And whereas the Government of Canada recognizes the importance of engaging with Canadians to assist it in its efforts to support the delivery of school food programs that prioritize the provision of food that is sourced locally, when possible, and reflect local and regional contexts;

Now, therefore, His Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:

Alternative Title

Marginal note:Alternative title

1 This Act may be cited as the National School Food Program Act.

Definitions

Marginal note:Definitions

2 The following definitions apply in this Act.

Indigenous governing body

Indigenous governing body means a council, government or other entity that is authorized to act on behalf of an Indigenous group, Indigenous community or Indigenous people that holds rights recognized and affirmed by section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982. (corps dirigeant autochtone)

Indigenous peoples

Indigenous peoples has the meaning assigned by the definition aboriginal peoples of Canada in subsection 35(2) of the Constitution Act, 1982. (peuples autochtones)

Minister

Minister means the member or members of the King’s Privy Council for Canada designated under section 3. (ministre)

Program

Program means the National School Food Program. (Programme)

Designation of Minister

Marginal note:Order designating Minister

3 The Governor in Council may, by order, designate one or more members of the King’s Privy Council for Canada to be the Minister or Ministers for the purposes of this Act.

Purpose and Declaration

Marginal note:Purpose

4 The purpose of this Act is to set out

  • (a) the Government of Canada’s long-term vision for the Program;

  • (b) the Government of Canada’s commitment to maintaining long-term funding for the ongoing implementation and maintenance of the Program; and

  • (c) the principles that guide the Government of Canada’s ongoing investments in the Program.

Marginal note:Declaration

5 It is declared that

  • (a) the Government of Canada’s vision is that all children and youth in Canada have access to nutritious food at school, in an inclusive and non-stigmatizing setting that fosters healthy practices, through school food programs that strengthen connections with local food systems, the environment and culture;

  • (b) the Government of Canada’s goal is to maintain the Program in a way that respects the following principles:

    • (i) accessibility,

    • (ii) health promotion,

    • (iii) inclusivity,

    • (iv) flexibility,

    • (v) sustainability, and

    • (vi) accountability;

  • (c) school food programs contribute to improved health outcomes for children and youth, reduced costs for Canadians and a strong Canadian economy;

  • (d) it is important for the Government of Canada to cooperate, collaborate and work in partnership with the provinces, the territories and Indigenous governing bodies in the delivery of school food programs; and

  • (e) First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families are best supported by school food programs that are culturally appropriate and designed and delivered by their communities.

Funding

Marginal note:Guiding principles

  • 6 (1) Federal investments respecting the ongoing implementation and maintenance of the Program — as well as the efforts to enter into related agreements with provinces, territories and Indigenous governing bodies — must be guided by the principles set out in paragraph 5(b).

  • Marginal note:Commitments — Official Languages Act

    (2) Federal investments that are subject to an agreement entered into with a province or territory respecting the Program must be guided by the principles set out in paragraph 5(b) and by the commitments set out in the Official Languages Act.

Marginal note:Funding commitment

  • 7 (1) The Government of Canada commits to maintaining long-term funding for the Program.

  • Marginal note:Funding agreements

    (2) The funding must be provided through agreements with the provinces, the territories or Indigenous governing bodies.

Annual Report

Marginal note:Report

  • 8 (1) At the end of the first complete fiscal year after the day on which this section comes into force and at the end of each subsequent fiscal year, the Minister must prepare a report that contains

    • (a) a summary of the information in the Minister’s possession and within the Minister’s authority to disclose relating to the federal investments made in respect of the Program during the previous fiscal year; and

    • (b) a summary of the progress that has been made in respect of the Program, including with respect to the principles set out in paragraph 5(b).

  • Marginal note:Tabling

    (2) The Minister must cause the report to be tabled in each House of Parliament on any of the first 15 days on which that House is sitting after the day on which the report is completed.

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