Federal Budget provides key investments, but more is needed

Date: 22 April, 2021

Dietitians of Canada welcomes the investments outlined in Monday’s Federal Budget to address immediate needs impacted by COVID-19 in areas like national standards for long-term care, household food insecurity, systemic racism and discrimination, safe drinking water and supports for mental health. However, we join others in calling for more future-focused investments beyond COVID-19 to address long standing gaps in the health system.
 
National Standards in Long-Term Care
Dietitians of Canada is keen to learn the Health Standards Organization and Canadian Standards Association are launching a process to engage stakeholders in developing national standards for improving the quality of life of seniors in long-term care. Dietitians are ready to contribute. A recent scan by Dietitians of Canada found standards vary widely across Canada, creating inequities.
 
Household Food Insecurity
While we acknowledge investments to promote adequate incomes in the Federal Budget, we continue to call on government for additional measures like basic income to effectively reduce household food insecurity. Although food banks and other food charities are often seen as the solution to food insecurity, food banks do not address the issue of inadequate incomes in food insecure households.
 
For more information on Dietitians of Canada advocacy on these and other issues, email Lisa.McKellar@dietitians.ca 

Media Inquiries: Kate.Comeau@dietitians.ca