This week, it was announced that the Calgary Board of Education will soon be eliminating some of my favourite treats from all of their Calgary-area schools. 

Besides reminding me how happy I am not to be a teacher, nor to have the stress that comes with it, I’ve also been filled with a feeling of dread. Denying our kids the right to have candy may have more dire consequences for this city and its children than we can deal with.

The CBE needs to be careful because, while our kids will now be healthier, have more energy and probably be nicer people, the effects of  a healthier diet on Calgary children will linger for years.

Financially speaking, many of Calgary’s most successful businesses have benefited from our questionable diets and now they could quickly be put out of work.  In matter of months, countless personal trainers will soon be wandering aimlessly around Prince’s Island Park looking for someone who would normally be overweight.

Speaking of the home of the Calgary Folk Music Festival, as people get healthier, get ready for even more people racing in the annual tarp run. You haven’t thought about that, have you Tarpies?

People, it’s about consequences, and I don’t know if a healthier population is something that we can handle.

Having junk food in our lives is much more important than just fulfilling a sweet tooth. I have to wonder if this city’s teachers are prepared to teach their students the important benefits that we’ve all already learned about junk food? How will these kids learn about eating their feelings away after a bad date, or that poutine cures even the most painful hangover.

In fact, most of the lessons I learned about junk food, have prepared me for a successful life in Calgary. How will any of these children survive an eventual weekend at Nashville North?

This bold action of the CBE is also detrimental to the family unit itself. Taking the candy and unhealthy food out of schools is another example of how being a parent is easier and easier.

When I was a kid, my parents didn’t let me have junk food, by simply not giving it to me. Take a look at grocery carts and you’ll see that they are loaded with candy, chips and chocolate.

It’s fine that kids won’t be able to buy it at school, but if the parents are already giving it to them at home, then what’s the point?

We eventually all learn about eating responsibly. Why make these kids wait until after graduation to learn about its importance?