THUNDER BAY -- Nishnawbe Aski Nation’s deputy Grand Chief says a new report by the Auditor General is proof that the Nutrition North Canada food subsidy program is not working.
In a recent news release issued to media, NAN Grand Chief Goyce Kakegamic says the program should be replaced with a new approach to improve the health of First Nations. Critics of the current program worry that it helps retailers and not the northern residents it is meant to assist.
Nutrition North is a $60-million federal program that provides funding to some remote northern communities that struggle with high food prices.
Auditor General Michael Ferguson examined that program in his fall report and found that it was unclear whether or not retailers were passing on savings from the program to its customers in these remote communities.
“We are not surprised the Auditor General couldn’t show that the food pricing subsidy was being passed on to consumers, as our own food pricing initiative has raised the question about the profit retailers are making at the expense of the health of our First Nations,” Kakegamic said.
“Health and affordable food is still out of reach for many of our communities and it is clear this program isn’t working.”
NAN officials say they have attempted to address these issues with the federal government and Nutrition North Canada board since 2013.
