An update on Food Literacy for Students Act, 2020. Bill 216

The Private Member’s Bill 216 was introduced by Daryl Kramp, MPP for Hastings, Lennox & Addington in October 2020.  
https://www.ola.org/en/legislative-business/bills/parliament-42/session-1/bill-216

Bill 216 passed the first two readings easily and was awaiting its final reading when the September 2021 Federal election was called. All incomplete Bills were postponed when the Ontario government was prorogued for the Federal election. Covid and Mr. Kramp’s personal illness may have added to the delay of Bill 216.   

To prorogue is “to: discontinue a session of (a parliament or other legislative assembly) without dissolving it.” Merriam-Webster Dictionary

We are told that the Bill is expected to be re-introduced to the Legislature in the Spring of 2022 and, as is the custom, will likely be given a new number. Mr. Kramp’s goal is to get Bill 216 though the legislature by April, 2022. 

In a January 2022 update, Mr. Kramp states, “Bill 216 will create a larger role in the curriculum for Ontario students to learn tips about healthy eating, cooking and purchasing habits. Stake holders and organizations such as the Canadian Cancer Society, Heart and Stroke Foundation and Canadian Diabetes Association are firmly backing this idea.” https://inquinte.ca/story/look-ahead-hla-mpp-daryl-kramp

 To date, OHEA has written three letters in support for Bill 216:

• Read OHEA’s letter of support dated January 10, 2022 here
  
  
• Read OHEA’s letter of support dated November 12, 2021 here
  
  

On Jan.18, 2022 Diane O’Shea P.H.Ec. and Mary Carver, P.H.Ec. participated in a stakeholders’ meeting that included Sarah Keyes (KFLA FPC); Lynn Roblin, RD; Alicia Martin (U of Guelph); Sandy Maxwell (OPHA); Dr. Peggy O’Neil, P.H.Ec.  (Brescia University College); Debbie Field (Coalition for Healthy School Food); Janet Nezon (Rainbow Plate); Liz Scanlon (Heart and Stroke); Julia Pereira (Can Cancer Society); Sunday Harrison (GTGK);); Carolyn Webb (Sustain Ontario). The meeting was an opportunity to discuss a collective approach to support Bill 216 when it’s re-introduced in the Spring. Diane O’Shea forwarded the link to “Food Literacy: A Competency Progression Framework for Children & Youth,”   - presented by Dr. Joyce Slater, PhD University of Manitoba.
https://cns-scn.ca/education-portal/view/food-literacy-a-competency-progression-framework-for-children-youth

Curriculum content and who will be teaching food skills and nutrition are concerns for OHEA. The OHEA Board advocates for fully qualified teachers certified as Family Studies Educators to ensure consistent, accurate nutrition information.

When and if more letters to MPP’s are requested, OHEA will contact its members to help support the Bill.  Waiting for correct timing and a newly assigned Bill number should better help to direct your letters in the right direction.

Thank you to OHEA members for their continued interest and support.

Mary Carver, P.HEc.