AANO Committee News Release
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Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development |
HOUSE OF COMMONS CHAMBRE DES COMMUNES OTTAWA, CANADA K1A 0A6 |
Comité permanent des affaires autochtones et du développement du Grand Nord |
For immediate release
NEWS RELEASE
From Food Mail to Nutrition North Canada
Ottawa, March 1st, 2011 -
House of Commons Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Tables Report on the Nutrition North Canada (NNC) program.
The Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development (the Committee), tabled today in the House of Commons the Committee’s report entitled From Food Mail to Nutrition North Canada. This report follows a study by the Committee of the terms and conditions of the new NNC program that is being phased-in by the Government of Canada to replace the existing Food Mail program. To inform its study, the Committee held 6 meetings with 23 witnesses representing the federal government, Aboriginal organizations, northern communities, regional health authorities, food retailers and wholesalers, and organizations related to air transport.
The report mentions that Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) decided to conduct a review of the existing Food Mail program as a result of escalating costs observed over time. The NNC program was developed by the Government of Canada to address concerns expressed by northern communities and businesses regarding program awareness, transparency and accountability on shipping and food prices, food quality and delivery logistics, and the need for a focus on access to nutritious perishable food, as well as culturally appropriate food in the North. Phase 1 of the new program started on October 3, 2010 when a reduced food item eligibility list was introduced. Full implementation of the NNC program, with further exclusions for other food items and all non-perishable items, is to begin on April 1, 2011.
The report notes that, although witnesses acknowledged and appreciated the efforts of the Government to improve the delivery of healthy, affordable food to northern communities through the implementation of the NNC program, opinion was divided on the potential benefits that would arise from these program changes. To address the concerns expressed by witnesses who were in favour of enhancements to the new program, and to further facilitate northerners’ access to nutritious, perishable food, the report sets out 13 recommendations related to: increased flexibility in the determination of subsidy rates and for community and food item eligibility lists; improved tracking and evaluation tools; increased focus on collaboration and communication among governments and with stakeholders; and expanded support for traditional, non-commercial Aboriginal food systems.
Bruce Stanton, M.P. for Simcoe North and Chair of the Committee, stated: “The Committee trusts that the set of recommendations outlined in its report will help guide the Government in the management of this new program as it becomes operational over the coming weeks. The Committee remains optimistic that, working with the new External Advisory Board and with northern communities, the Government will have the necessary tools to effectively monitor and evaluate the performance of this program on an on-going basis.”
Committee Vice-Chair Jean Crowder, M.P. for Nanaimo-Cowichan noted that “The recommendations set out in this report provide valuable insights on how the Government of Canada can improve the effectiveness of the new program. We have heard the concerns of witnesses, and believe that the potential to improve the health and nutrition of northern communities can be addressed by ensuring the new program is more flexible and responsive to the needs of the North.”
The report is posted on the Committee’s Web page on the Parliament of Canada Web site (www.parl.gc.ca/AANO-E). Copies can also be obtained from the Committee Clerk.
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