Item - 2012.HL14.3

This report provides information regarding the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, Olivier De Schutter, and his country mission to Canada May 6-16th, 2012.

Toronto Public Health (TPH) (the Medical Officer of Health, the Toronto Food Strategy and the Toronto Food Policy Council) met with the Special Rapporteur on May 10, 2012 and presented five recommendations for action by the Federal Government to address food security issues in Canada. These recommendations support previous Board of Health positions.

1.         Federal Government coordination of a Canadian Food Strategy.

2.         Federal leadership to promote action at all levels of Government to eliminate poverty, hunger and ensure access to healthy food.

3.         Establish a national student nutrition program.

4.         Work with Provincial and Territorial Governments to promote food skills/food literacy for all Canadians.

5.         Legislated national ban on all commercial advertising targeted to children under 13 years.

In addition, Toronto Food Policy Council members helped organize several civil society meetings with the Special Rapporteur while he was in Toronto. TPH participated in these meetings as an observer.