Feds stop Nutrition North changes
Aglukkaq says Conservatives have increased program funding by $11 million
Stewart Burnett
Northern News Services
Monday, July 6, 2015
NUNAVUT
Changes to the Nutrition North program proposed by Northwest Territories MP Dennis Bevington were voted down in parliament last month, and one food advocate called the vote a political "test of allegiance" more than anything.
NDP-proposed changes to Nutrition North were voted down by the federal Conservatives in parliament last month. Nunavut MP Leona Aglukkaq, pictured here in 2014, says her government has increased the program's funding by more than $11 million this year. - photo courtesy Joel Koczwarski |
The motion called for five reforms to the food subsidy program, including the addition of 46 communities to Nutrition North.
Parliament defeated the motion on June 8 with 148 votes to 125. All of the votes against the motion but one came from Conservative MPs. All Liberal, NDP and Bloc Quebecois MPs present supported the motion.
"Given that this was one of the last votes before the fall election, I would interpret this as a test of allegiance rather than actually being about a Nutrition North review," stated Taye Newman, founder of the website Feeding Nunavut, which advocates for food sustainability and helps organize donations to the territory.
"Looking at the voting patterns, it is clear that MPs voted according to their party."
She said the Nutrition North program has a lack of transparency, as the auditor general has reported, most recently in fall 2014.
"A basic part of any program should be regular evaluation and adjustment in order to best meet stated objectives," Newman said.
Nunavut MP Leona Aglukkaq stated in an e-mail to Nunavut News/North that the Conservative government has increased funding to the Nutrition North program this year by more than $11 million.
"Surprisingly, both the NDP and Liberals voted against this $11 million increase of funding to the Nutrition North program," Aglukkaq continued.
"Our Government is also moving forward with important reforms to increase the transparency of the program, including point-of-sale initiatives, to ensure families can see how retailers are passing on the subsidy."
Newman said the issue of high food prices in the North is complex.
"A focus on quality of life for Northern indigenous people should draw on the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and be respectful, involve partnerships and support Northern communities in addressing problems that they see rather than implementing southern solutions," she said, adding she has been horrified to learn of the poverty and hunger within her own country.
"The right to affordable, nutritious food should not be a political issue. It should be a human rights issue."
Aglukkaq, in response to questions about Nutrition North, brought up the Universal Child Care Benefit initiative as having a positive impact on Nunavummiut. The program provides every family with a child under the age of six with up to $1,920 per child, per year. Additionally, families receive $720 per year for each child aged six to 17.
"Unfortunately, the Liberals and the NDP have vowed to take this money away from Nunavummiut, raise taxes and impose carbon taxes and schemes that will increase the cost of gas, groceries and electricity throughout the territory," Aglukkaq stated.
"The actions of the Liberals and NDP show, once again, that they don't understand what the real priorities are in the North. Only our government will keep taxes low and maintain the benefits that Northern families rely on."
