Question Period Note: Northern Affairs Accomplishments 2020-2021

• Our Government has worked with key partners to make progress on co-developed priorities for the North.

• In partnership with territorial, Indigenous and provincial partners, over $700 million in targeted COVID relief and recovery measures for Arctic and Northern communities has been identified to-date.

• A first summit of the Arctic and Northern Policy Framework partners took place in November 2020 to establish a national approach to governance and to identify key partner priorities for Budget 2021.

• We will continue to work with key partners to ensure Northerners’ needs are met.

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If pressed on Nutrition North

• Nutrition North Canada helps to make perishable and nutritious foods more affordable and accessible to residents of eligible isolated northern communities that lack year-round road, rail or marine access.

• Nutrition North Canada has increased subsidy rates and expanded its list of subsidized food and essential items to include cleaning and personal hygiene products.

• Northerners are now also benefiting from the program’s new Harvesters Support Grant which is increasing access to traditional foods and supporting hunting, harvesting and food sharing activities.

If pressed on 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. The next step is the negotiation of a Final Devolution Agreement.

• The parties resumed negotiations on a Final Devolution Agreement to be completed over the next two years.
o This work is progressing well.
o The details of negotiations will remain confidential until a Final Agreement has been reached.

If pressed on Arctic and Northern Policy Framework

• We launched the Arctic and Northern Policy Framework with territorial, Indigenous and provincial partners in September 2019, and are now focused on co-development of governance mechanisms to achieve Framework goals and objectives.

• The intent of the Framework is to guide federal and partner priorities and investments through to 2030 and beyond.

If pressed on Northern Contaminated Sites Program

• The Government has renewed the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan and has made significant investments in the new Northern Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program

• Both programs are intended to ensure lands and waters are healthy for future generations and will help to secure jobs for Northerners and Indigenous partners.

• We will continue to collaborate with communities, Indigenous partners, the Territories and interested stakeholders to protect Canadians and the environment.