A recent video posted by Conservative MP Jamil Jivani has ignited a heated debate about the necessity of the National School Food Program (NSFP) in Canada. Jivani argued that the government should focus on creating an economy that allows parents to afford their children's lunches instead of extending the costly NSFP. He stated, "It should frighten us that there aren’t parents who can buy their own kids lunch. We have families, and families should be strong enough to provide for their children. And when they’re not, that should break our hearts and make us weep. It should not be used as a justification for the government to have even more influence, even more input, even more control over our lives."

The response to Jivani's comments was swift and intense, with many social media users labeling him a "villain" and accusing him of punishing children. Critics expressed concerns about the need to support vulnerable children, with some claiming that the Conservatives only want to feed kids from wealthy families.

Despite the passionate reactions, data from UNICEF indicates that the prevalence of stunting and wasting among children in North America is low. Specifically, only 4.1% of children are stunted, and 0.2% are wasted, compared to global averages of 23.2% and 6.6%, respectively. In Canada, undernourishment affects less than 2.5% of the population.

However, hunger remains a concern in the country. Statistics Canada reported that in 2022, 22.3% of families experienced some level of food insecurity, with 5% facing severe food insecurity, which can lead to skipped meals. With approximately 5.6 million school-age children in Canada, this suggests that around 280,000 children may require government assistance.

The NSFP, introduced by the Trudeau Liberals last year, aims to enroll an additional 400,000 children in school lunch programs. The program is set to become permanent as part of the 2025 budget, with a total cost exceeding $1 billion over five years. Currently, provincial and municipal governments spend $401 million annually on school food programs. The funding allocated in the 2024 budget will increase this amount by $201 million this year, eventually rising to $261 million by 2028-29. The Liberals plan to fund the program indefinitely at a cost of $216.6 million per year starting in 2029.

Critics argue that spending over $600 million annually to address a relatively minor issue seems excessive, especially considering the other forms of child support available. The Canada Child Benefit, for instance, provides up to $7,437 per child, and the federal Early Learning and Child Care system is projected to cost taxpayers $38 billion this year. This is in addition to various social supports provided by different levels of government, including welfare payments, subsidized housing, public education, and universal health care.