Asks the House of Commons to direct Health Canada to publish regulations that limit marketing of unhealthy food and drinks to children under 13, using criteria Health Canada has already developed.

Canadian children are constantly exposed to aggressive marketing of unhealthy, often ultra-processed, food and beverages high in sodium, sugars, or saturated fats across digital platforms, television, and public spaces;

With cognitive, emotional and decision-making abilities still developing, children are especially vulnerable to persuasive marketing tactics that can undermine caregivers’ efforts to support healthy eating;

Children aged 9 – 13 in Canada get over half of their daily calories from ultra-processed foods;

Marketing of these products shapes food preferences and eating behaviours during key developmental years, contributing to dietary patterns that can persist into adulthood;

Poor diets contribute to chronic illnesses. In 2023, an estimated 31,000 deaths and a burden of $28 billion were related to dietary factors in Canada;

Importantly, evidence shows that marketing restrictions do not increase food prices, contribute to job or wage reductions or harm to industry revenues;

80% of Canadians agree that advertising and social media create pressure on children to consume unhealthy products, and 76% support restrictions per a 2026 Environics poll;

By introducing such regulations, the government will support long-term health and economic benefits, freeing families from the influence of targeted marketing; and

Failing to act perpetuates avoidable costs, with preventable chronic disease continuing to pressure our health care system.

We, the undersigned,citizens and residents of Canada, call upon theHouse of Commonsto direct Health Canada to swiftly implement and publish regulations restricting the marketing of unhealthy food and beverages to children under age 13 using criteria already developed by Health Canada.