QS wants to tackle hunger in Quebec schools

Photo: Valérian Mazataud Le Devoir Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois detailed his plan on Sunday in which, starting in 2027, all public elementary schools in Quebec would offer free lunchtime meals to students who want them.

Mathilde Beaulieu-Lépine

Published at 14:23 Updated at 16:06

• Québec

Québec solidaire (QS) proposes to work with “social caterers” to install a free lunch program in all public primary and secondary schools by 2030.

Along with his future co-spokesperson, Ruba Ghazal, and Hochelaga-Maisonneuve MNA Alexandre Leduc, Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois detailed his plan in which, starting in 2027, all public elementary schools in Quebec would offer free lunchtime meals to students who want them.

Gradually, according to the QS proposal, all public schools — both elementary and secondary — could have access to this program until its full deployment in 2030. “We can’t build kitchens in all schools in Quebec,” admitted the QS co-spokesperson. He proposes working with “social caterers,” such as Le Chic Resto Pop — where the public meeting was held on Sunday — to implement his proposal.

Food security organizations and “social caterers” would provide school meals, where possible. The money advanced by the government, estimated at $770 million annually after the program’s rollout in 2030, would fund these organizations, introduce free lunchtime childcare for primary schools, and other costs of rolling out the program.

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“There are some areas where this wouldn’t work,” he says. “In those cases, we would have to consider building new infrastructure or funding new organizations.” »

While the economic benefits of the program are estimated at between $1.5 billion and $4.5 billion, “the social benefits [are] incalculable,” says Mr. Nadeau-Dubois.

“Social traitors”

La Cantine pour tous is one of these “social caterers” that already offers low-cost meals in some schools in Quebec. “Five years ago, we served our first three schools. Now, we serve nearly 140,” explains Thibaud Liné, the organization’s executive director.

Asked about the weight that would be added to the organizations working to combat food insecurity if the plan were implemented, the director remained optimistic. “Of course, we can’t feed all of Quebec’s schools at once, but we have demonstrated our ability to provide,” he said in an interview with Le Devoir.

“We are in favour of all proposals that aim to reduce food insecurity among children, whether it is this one or others put forward by the current government,” emphasizes Mr. Liné.

A universal plan

The plan designed by QS provides for a universal model, where meals would be offered to everyone in public schools, to avoid the “stigmatization of students who can benefit from them,” believes the co-spokesperson. “But that does not mean that it would be mandatory,” he specifies. The program would also be supported by voluntary contributions from parents of students. “Why take away the possibility for families who want to contribute to do so,” responded Mr. Nadeau-Dubois to the criticism of citizens who want this measure to be completely free.

“Hunger is increasing in Quebec, and children are the first victims,” he insisted. “I challenge François Legault to give me three more important measures than that one,” said Mr. Nadeau-Dubois.

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