Mr. Speaker, there are without any doubts impediments when it comes to accessing quality food for affordable prices in the North, especially for the economically disadvantaged. It is such a problem that even food banks are now charging a user fee for each flat of donated food that an individual or family will receive. It is understandable that being in remote communities causes higher freight and transportation costs for retailers and so they must mark up their products to compensate for the additional costs. Although these mark-ups are implemented to ensure the retailers maintain their profits, they cause inflated food costs to the public and do not correlate with better quality foods. Much of the produce and other perishables sold at retailers in the North have a very short shelf life. There is also a percentage of the population that is below or near the poverty line and, as a result, cannot afford much of their basic needs especially food due to these price mark-ups. Mr. Speaker, Nutrition North was implemented to ease the consequences of these overpriced, low-quality foods to consumers and was proven ineffective. This program was proven unsuccessful for many reasons, such as the lack of information the public received about the program and its implementation, and the regulation of the program, including which products were subsidized. Most residents noticed that some of their most essential food products, such as flour and baby formula, were not subsidized and, alternatively, many affluent food items were. There has been a lack of accountability on the retailers' part in terms of reporting of spoilage and actual costs prior to the application of the subsidy.
Mr. Speaker, another issue is the availability of the program in the Nahendeh riding. Only Nahanni Butte and Sambaa K'e were recognized for this subsidy, and it served neither community at all. This raises yet another issue with the program: there are limited vendors that retailers can purchase from. Mr. Speaker, this program must be fixed to ensure all residents are able to attain their basic necessities, nutritious food being of the most important, from the sources they want to deal with. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.