NAN Responds to NDP Proposal for Flawed Nutrition North Food Subsidy Program

April 2, 2015

THUNDER BAY: Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Deputy Grand Chief Goyce Kakegamic released the following statement in response to a proposal announced by the New Democratic Party regarding the flawed Nutrition North food subsidy program:

“We are pleased to see the Official Opposition challenge the Harper government on this very important issue and we hope this signals a strong commitment to helping us secure access to high quality, affordable food for all NAN First Nations, especially our remote communities. There are 32 remote NAN communities, of which only eight receive the full subsidy and seven receive a partial five-cent per kilogram subsidy. We do not see the need for further studies involving independent consultants or this government’s request for proposals to develop ‘subsidy models’ as the program’s defects have been clearly established. NAN has already provided recommendations to the Auditor General, the Nutrition North Canada Advisory Board and the federal government on ways to improve this program. These include full subsidy for all remote First Nations, regular food price monitoring in all communities, reinstatement of subsidy for hunting and fishing supplies, support for locally owned retailers to participate as suppliers, and the development of a National Food Security strategy. Any restructuring of this program must be First Nation-led with active participation at the community level if it is ever to be successful in delivering this much-needed assistance.”

For more information please contact: Michael Heintzman, Director of Communications – Nishnawbe Aski
Nation (807) 625-4965 or (807) 621-2790 mobile or by email mheintzman@nan.on.ca

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