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NUNAVUT
Less than two-thirds of Nunavut's retail food scales were accurate three years ago, federal government documents show. Almost 90 per cent of the faulty devices tipped in favour of the retailer.

Of the 116 devices Measurement Canada inspected in Nunavut in 2008, 68 scales measured accurately while 48 did not. Of those 48, documents show 43 tipped in favour of the retailer with the remaining five erring in favour of the consumers.

By comparison, 96 per cent of 116 retail food scales inspected in the Northwest Territories during the same time frame were accurate, documents show.

Measurement Canada last inspected retail food scales in Nunavut in 2008.

Cape Dorset resident Chris Jenkins said in the future, he might think about the accuracy of the scales at the grocery store.

"I've never worried about it. I've always trusted the store - so far," he said.

Out in the Kitikmeot, Cambridge Bay resident Fred Muise does his food purchases through Food Mail so the accuracy of food scales is not something he thought about.

"It doesn't even cross my mind. I never think about it. I've never thought about it," he said, adding the issue is not a big deal for him.

In Resolute, Ralph Alexander said it doesn't bother him some scales were faulty.

"It's up to the government to monitor them. The scales have to be certified," he said. "It's not the fault of the retailer."

Retailers are responsible to ensure their scales measure accurately, according to Industry Canada.

The Fairness at the Pumps Act, which received Royal Assent this past March, introduced mandatory inspections in eight trade sectors, including retail food. Once the Weights and Measures Regulations are amended, scales and other measuring devices in the retail food sector will need to be inspected at set intervals. The proposed frequency is every five years.

Arctic Co-ops throughout the territory test their own food scales every few months using in-house products they can confirm weights on, said Rod Wilson, vice-president of member management services at Arctic Co-operatives Ltd. He added inaccurate scales are sent to Winnipeg to be re-calibrated. The fixed scale, or a new one, is sent back to the member co-op.

"We are very confident members are being charged accurate prices based on the weight of the product. We've certainly not had any indication of any inaccuracy," he said.

"The co-op is very, very conscientious about ensuring proper pricing and proper calculation of weights occurs."

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