Proposal for an Ontario Childhood Obesity Strategy

Proposed by party member Michele Farrugia, Peterborough Ontario
Date: 25/06/2011
For consideration for inclusion in the platform at the pre-election Policy Assembly.

At School

Create an Ontario Obesity Curriculum for all elementary and secondary students
Eliminate foods with trans fats from school cafeteria’s
Establish fruit tuck shops in every school run by local farmers
Replace pop with milk and juice in vending machines
Use healthy foods or non-food alternatives for school fundraising efforts
Provide one hour per day of mandatory physical activity to elementary and high school students
Open all schools after school to community organizations
Create cooking programs in schools province wide
Hire health and wellness instructors for physical education classes
Increase funding for school nutrition programs

Awareness
Establishing a Centre of Excellence on Child and Youth Obesity
Put less focus on weight rather than a healthy body
Implement an Obesity Prevention Campaign
Hire more dietitians and nutritionists

Incentives

Eliminate current provincial government claw-backs of the National Child Benefit
Create a Children’s Coaching Tax Credit
Create a Children’s Fitness Tax Credit
Establish a grant program for community food gardens.
Create a Healthy Foods Tax Credit.

Disincentives

Restrict energy drinks to people 18 years or and under
Ban junk food advertising to children 13 and under
Create a tax on junk food and sugary drinks

Outdoors

“Walk Across Ontario” Online Tracking Challenge
Establish more cycling and biking paths and lanes
Create more skateboard parks and ice rinks
Construct more walking and hiking trails

Treatment

Establish an Obesity Mentorship Program
Create Obesity Treatment Centres covered by OHIP that focus on the community as a whole

If you have any proposals to be voted on by the membership for inclusion in the platform of the SPO, please email them to socialistpartyofontario@hotmail.ca