OTTAWA –Stephen Harper has made it clear that he plans to once again put oil companies before Canadian children, says New Democrat Children and Childcare Critic Olivia Chow (Trinity—Spadina).

“This budget clearly demonstrates where Stephen Harper’s priorities lie. Billions in corporate tax cuts for oil companies while childcare and childhood nutrition are ignored,” says Chow.

“With no new dollars for early childhood education or child care, this budget continues to fail our children and working parents,” says Chow. “Among OECD countries, Canada is already ranked last for its lack of investment in child care. Harper’s Conservatives are unfortunately continuing with this irresponsible policy of neglecting our children.”

The Conservatives failed to commit to funding the New Democrats’ Children’s Health and Nutrition Initiative, which would provide a daily nutritious meal to all Canadian children. The Heart and Stroke Foundation states that it is imperative to take immediate action to curb childhood obesity by promoting healthy eating if Canada is to reduce the $22.2 billion lost every year in healthcare costs and lost productivity from illnesses like heart disease.

“The Harper Conservatives’ budget does nothing to address the crisis of childhood obesity in Canada,” says Chow. “It is shameful that Canada remains one of the few developed countries without a nationally funded child nutrition program.”