Imagine that, the whole country is going to be instructed to — in so many cases — completely change their eating habits.
I’m wondering just what planet the federal Minister of Health is on?
Doesn't she realize that in some regions — dare I say in N.L. — this would entail a complete cultural shift, and I’m sure Alberta might fit into that, too.
Also how on God’s green Earth are people below a certain income level ever going to be able to afford all the fresh produce, never mind nuts and the like?
There is no doubt that this is a much healthier plan but it’s like using a bulldozer to take out a splinter.
Why not look at trying to reduce the consumption of over-processed products? Maybe even, as has been suggested in the past, taxing junk and then subsidizing fresh fruit and vegetables?
As it is I am gravely concerned, and N.L. Health Minister John Haggie should be, too, about the skyrocketing prices of those very products here in this Province — eg broccoli $4:99 today, cauliflower $6:99 etc., etc., etc.
And let us not forget the cheap price of soft drinks etc.
Given our health statistics here I don’t think that declining birth rate and out-migration should be top of the agenda given the vast financial and human cost of the poor health here.
So while I can’t argue with the Feds about the obvious benefits of their plan, I think it is doomed to failure, as it is too sweeping and not designed to fit a country and population as spread out and diverse as Canada.
Patsy Ploughman
St. John's
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