New Democrat MPP Rosario Marchese is introducing a bill to fight childhood obesity in Ontario by banning commercial advertising for food or drink directed at children under 13 years of age.

Marchese is pushing McGuinty’s Liberals to take action on what Ontario’s former Chief Medical Officer, Sheela Basrur called “a growing epidemic” by putting forward his bill modeled after the Quebec law, which has banned all advertising aimed at children since 1982.

Marketers spend a great deal of money to influence children’s choices. Advertisers themselves assert that Canada’s 9 to 14 year olds, have $1.8 billion to spend and influence another $20 billion in household purchases.

David McKeown, Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health warns that “food and beverage products developed for, and advertised to, children are dominated by those that are calorie dense and nutrient poor.”

"Child obesity is a growing concern in Ontario and we want to support parents who want to help their children make good choices,” Marchese said. “We may not be able to control all the variables that contribute to poor diets and bad eating habits but we can control this one.”

Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health, the Toronto Board of Health, Ontario’s former Chief Medical Officer Sheila Basrur, Canada’s Standing Committee on Health and the World Health Organization have all expressed concern about childhood obesity and have urged governments to look into restrictions on food and beverage advertising targeted at children.

“Governments have a responsibility to help parents when it comes to their children’s physical health,” said Marchese. “By supporting this bill, McGuinty can help children acquire healthy habits and remain healthy for a lifetime.”