November 20, 1996
(Social Services)

The following statement was issued today by Joan Marie Aylward, Minister of Social Services. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

It is a pleasure for me today, to proclaim November 20, 1996, National Child Day in Newfoundland and Labrador. This proclamation coincides with November 20, 1959, the day the United Nations adopted the Declaration on the Rights of the Child and also with the date the Government of Canada declared as National Child Day in 1993.

I am quite pleased that on this special day, in collaboration with the Hon. Roger Grimes and the Hon. Lloyd Matthews, I can make a commitment which will benefit children throughout this province. The departments of Social Services, Education and Health have agreed to commit funding in the amount of $125,000, to help establish child food programs which will provide children with one nutritious meal, each and every school day.

In cooperation with the School Children's Food Foundation, which will provide $100,000 to match government funding, a Provincial Nutrition Fund will be established on a two year pilot basis. This initiative is consistent with Recommendation 148 of the Royal Commission Report - Our Children, Our Future. It is a commitment which will allow the establishment of up to 100 child food programs throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, serving up to 5,000 children each school day.

The School Children's Food Foundation has established a sectoral network of labour, business, community organizations, churches, and government departments to address the problem of child hunger and its impact on a child's ability to learn. The Provincial Nutrition Fund exemplifies government's commitment to improve collaboration between government departments and to continue the development of partnerships with communities, groups, and individuals for the benefit of all the people of this province including our children. This commitment is also consistent with the view of the Canadian School Boards Association as I heard in the media this morning. It is a more integrated approach which involves greater collaboration between government departments and more partnering with the community. We must all work together to most effectively attack child poverty.

This government recognizes the important role of the family and the community in the upbringing of children and will continue to consult with the people of this province in the best interest of all our children. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is demonstrating its commitment to children through several ongoing initiatives.

It has established a Select Committe on Children's Interest and has received its report and recommendations. It has commissioned a report and received recommendations on Special Matters dealing with the special needs of children. It has appointed a Social Policy Advisory Committee to provide input into the development of a provincial Strategic Social Plan, the first ever of its magnitude in this province and country. Our government, through the Department of Social Services is currently conducting a comprehensive review of all programming for children and youth including the Child Welfare Act and the Adoptions Act.

We are working for all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians and this is a day when we acknowledge the importance of children and the needs of children in this province and this country. I would like to encourage the general public to recognize National Child Day today, but also to consider the needs of children on every other day of the year.

On behalf of my colleagues, Ministers Grimes and Matthews, I would like to commend our social workers, nurses, teachers, health professionals, early childhood educators, parents, and all other people who work for and with children on a daily basis. Their dedication and caring will provide our children with the guidance they need to become contributing members of society. I would also like to commend the numerous groups, volunteers and individuals, throughout this province, who today have organized special events to celebrate National Child Day.