Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. There’s no dispute obesity is a serious health issue with adverse impacts on people’s quality of life, longevity and public health care. Obesity used to be a personal issue, but with the increasing burden on our taxpayers, it’s turning into everybody’s problem. This government can take action by introducing a tax on junk food. It will help raise revenues and guide consumers toward healthy choices. It’s already a very popular idea.
A coalition of health and education experts has called on the Quebec government to introduce a sugar tax on soft drinks and energy drinks. Ontario’s doctors want higher taxes and graphic warning labels on junk food, to combat obesity. The taxation and warnings on cigarettes have led to a decline in smoking. Other groups in North America want taxes on fast foods that contain more than the recommended daily intake of sugar, salt and calories, such as potato chips, chocolate bars, French fries, burgers and pizza.
Our current tax code already distinguishes between foods that are good and bad for you. Basic grocery items are untaxed and junk food like candy is taxed. The structure isn’t perfect, but the intent of the law is clear: junk food should be taxed more heavily than basic groceries. The Nutrition North Program, for example, only subsidizes healthy choices. Taxing junk food could help promote equality between our communities.
Some people argue that raising taxes will hurt people with modest incomes who tend to eat more fast food because it means they have less money to spend on general groceries and so they won’t buy as many fruits and vegetables that are already expensive in the North.
Healthy people making better choices results in greater cost savings overall. The reduced costs to health care could eventually help reduce the cost of living. People need help making a conscious choice to change their eating habits and lifestyles. We can all do that by teaching our people, especially young parents, about healthy eating. We can restrict marketing fatty and sugary foods to children and support national initiatives to label foods in ways that help consumers choose more wisely.
Finally, we can tax unhealthy foods so that we’re less likely to choose them as often. It’s like putting the cookie jar out of reach. Mahsi.
Thank you, Mr. Nadli. The Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.
