Yellowknife (Mar 13/06) - It's time to stop the hypocrisy, says Health Minister Michael Miltenberger.

Employees in buildings run by the ministry of Health and Social Services are saying goodbye to soft drinks and fatty snacks and hello to juice and granola bars.

Vending machines carrying a variety of pop and snack food items are on their way out in buildings administered the by the NWT ministry of Health and Social Services. Healthier choices like juice and granola bars will be available instead. - Jessica Gray/NNSL photo

"Over the last four years, the ministry of health has been struggling to promote basic things like healthy diets and exercise," said the minister.

Miltenberger said having sugary drinks and fattening foods in health buildings contradicts the ministry's message to eat nutritiously.

The ministry plans to have all vending machines with pop and chips replaced with nutritious snacks by April 1, and it's no April Fool's joke.

The buildings affected are all Northwest Territories hospitals, health services departments, and ministry of health offices. Cafeterias will also be targeted to decrease the amount of fried foods served.

The health minister said information about the campaign will be out in the next few weeks for the employees affected.

Last Thursday, one employee with the department, who wished not to be identified, returned to his office to find pop and chips gone from the vending machines.

"I feel like a kid not trusted to make my own decision," he said.

"It's my choice what I eat and drink."

But Gayla Wick, first vice-president of the Union of Northern Workers (UNW), said her organization supports the decision to make workplaces healthier. "It's an admirable step and we encourage other workplaces to do the same."

The UNW has not received any calls or formal complaints about the issues, she said.

Employees are still allowed to bring junk food to their offices if they choose, said Miltenberger. He said this is not about limiting choices for employees because if they have a craving for junk food, they can walk across the street.

There are no plans to initiate this program government wide.