Asking for food organization sign-on to letter calling on Senators to pass Bill S-228 and Stop Marketing to Kids.

Time is almost up to save Bill S-228, which will end marketing to kids of foods that are high in sugar, salt or saturated fats. The Bill is stalled in the Senate as industry lobbies hard to quash it. With only a handful of days left for Senate business, it is literally now or never for this Bill.

We are looking for food organizations to join Food Secure Canada in co-signing the letter below to Senators urging them to put the health of Canada’s children first.

We can accept organisational sign-on until noon (EDT) on Tuesday, June 18 so we can send the letter in time for it to have an impact.

June 19, 2019

Dear Honourable Senators,

Re: Canadian food organizations call for the passing of Bill S-228

Today we ask for your support to ensure that Bill S-228 is placed on the Senate’s priority list and passed before the end of the current parliamentary session. We are individuals and organizations working to advance food security and food sovereignty in Canada. The bill is part of the future we hope to see as we build a Canada that is more healthy, ethical and sustainable.

Research shows that over 90 percent of food and beverage marketing viewed by kids online and on TV are for products high in sugar, salt and saturated fats. These highly processed foods do not represent the diverse bounty of agricultural products grown by farmers across Canada. Contrary to the misinformation provided to Senators by some food industry representatives, Bill S-228 will not hurt Canada’s farmers or food producers. Rather, it will encourage children and families to eat more fresh whole Canadian food products such as fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, meats, and dairy, which are also promoted by the new Canada’s Food Guide as the foundation for healthy diets.

We are aware that industry has been actively lobbying Senators to stall the passage of Bill S-228. It appears industry has relentlessly provided senators with fear-mongering rhetoric about agriculture, trade and treaties. There is no evidence that trade will be impacted by restrictions on food and beverage marketing to children. Other jurisdictions, such as Quebec, Sweden, the UK, among others, have implemented similar legislation with no known impacts on trade obligations.

Bill S-228 has been extensively studied and supported by Senators, Members of Parliament, food policy experts, health stakeholders and parents.  It would be an incredible tragedy for this bill that will do so much for our children’s health to die on the order paper. We urge the Senate of Canada to take swift action in approving and passing Bill S-228 into law without further delay.

We thank you in advance for supporting this landmark legislation. We know that each of you as individual Senators are also parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts and friends of children and want the very best future for each of them.

Sincerely,