Government of Canada Expands Nutrition North Canada Program to Isolated Communities in the North

INUVIK - Canada is committed to improving the lives of Northerners, which includes better supporting food security for Canadians living in isolated communities.  

Also read, An Overview of the Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food System 2016.

As part of this commitment, today, the Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs, Carolyn Bennett, announced measures to help ensure that Northerners have access to quality and nutritious food.

"The Government of Canada is committed to listening to Northern families to understand what they need to help feed their families. This is why we are expanding Nutrition North Canada to include 37 additional isolated communities. These changes will help more families to have access to affordable and nutritious food," said the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, M.D., P.C., M.P.Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs.

Beginning October 1, 2016, the Nutrition North Canada (NNC) program will be expanded to an additional 37 isolated northern communities. This expansion is the result of updates to the community eligibility criteria, and is part of the Budget 2016 commitment to provide an additional $64.5 million to the NNC program over five years, beginning in 2016-17 and $13.8 million per year ongoing starting in 2021.

"The Advisory Board is very pleased to see that more communities will have access to the Nutrition North Canada Program. This announcement shows that small steps can lead to a greater impact on the daily lives of Northerners," said Nellie Cournoyea, Interim Nutrition North Canada Advisory Board Chair

This announcement was made in Inuvik, NWT, at the Inuvik Community Greenhouse, preceding a round table discussion with Northern, Inuit and First Nations leaders on food security in the North.

"The Nutrition North Canada program plays a significant role in helping Canada's isolated Northern communities have access to nutritious and affordable food. We look forward to working with Indigenous and Northern Affairs on updates and the expansion of this program," said the Honourable Jane Philpott Minister of Health.

Quick Facts

• Nutrition North Canada is a Government of Canada subsidy program bringing healthy food and funding for nutrition education initiatives to isolated Northern communities.
• The Government of Canada is currently holding engagement sessions with up to 20 Northern communities to listen and learn from Northerners on how to further improve the program.

Source Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada