Question Period Note: Northern Affairs Accomplishments

Our Government has worked with territorial, provincial and Indigenous partners to co-develop priorities for the North.
Together we have:
• Revised the Nutrition North list of subsidized food to include non-food items including diapers and non-prescription drugs and lowered the cost of the Revised Northern Food Basket by $4.35 since the launch of the program in 2011;
• Signed an Agreement-in-Principle on the devolution of Crown Lands, resources, and rights in respect of waters in Nunavut;
• Launched the Arctic and Northern Policy Framework with our partners in September 2019; and,
• Opened the Canadian High Arctic Research Station in August 2019.
We will continue to work with key partners to ensure Northerners’ needs are met.

NIL

Nutrition North

We continue to update and expand Nutrition North Canada to make it more culturally relevant to Northerners.
This program helps make perishable, nutritious food more accessible and more affordable for residents of isolated northern communities that lack year-round surface access.
Since the launch of the program in 2011, we have managed to lower the cost of the Revised Northern Food Basket by $4.35. Over the same time period, the price of food elsewhere in Canada has increased by 10.5%.
The new Harvesters Support Grant will also increase access to traditional foods.

Nunavut Devolution

On August 15, 2019, the Government of Canada, the Government of Nunavut and Nunavut Tunngavik Inc signed an Agreement-in-Principle on the devolution of Crown Lands, resources, and rights in respect of waters in Nunavut.
This agreement will ensure greater local control and accountability for decisions, and is a key step in our reconciliation with northern Indigenous peoples.
The parties will work to negotiate a Final Devolution Agreement over the next two years.

Arctic Policy Framework

We launched the Arctic and Northern Policy Framework with our partners in September 2019, and are now moving from co-development into co-implementation.
This Framework focuses on nurturing healthy families and communities; creating jobs and growing Arctic and northern economies; supporting science, traditional knowledge and research; facing the effects of climate change; restoring Canada's place as an international Arctic leader and advancing reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.
Our Government has worked with territorial, provincial and Indigenous partners to co-develop priorities for the North.

Canadian High Arctic Research Station (CHARS)

The Canadian High Arctic Research Station opened its doors on August 21, 2019.
This station was built by Canadians to serve the world, and engage Northerners in cutting-edge science and technology.
Polar Knowledge Canada will now operate this world-class research centre.