Merci, Monsieur le President. WHEREAS this 19th Assembly agreed in its priorities to increase food security through locally produced, harvested, and affordable food;

WHEREAS the Northwest Territories has the second highest level of food security in Canada as defined by Statistics Canada;

WHEREAS in a 2018 survey of Northwest Territories residents, 23 percent were worried about not having enough food -- money for food and in some communities, it was greater than 50 percent;

AND WHEREAS the Northwest Territories' food system is extremely fragile and dependent on global markets, which the COVID-19 pandemic has brought to the forefront, including our reliance on imported food; near complete dependence on corporately-owned grocery stores to feed residents; critical dependence on winter roads, trucking industry, and aviation sector to re-supply communities; unknown food storage in community-based freezers, fridges, and pantries; our unlimited -- or our uncertain and limited food supply chains and lack of systemic incentives that encourage territorial food solutions; whereas the federal government is yet to make the fundamental changes to the Nutrition North program that will best assist Northwest Territories residents with food security;

AND WHEREAS there are gaps in our current food security initiatives and the lack of coordination in current programs and services that cut across several departments; and whereas there is a need for a variety of programs, services, legislative and regulatory changes required to increase support for community and family renewable resource harvesting, availability of lands for agricultural purposes, support for small-scale food production; education and training in food production and storage and clear guidance for the preparation and retail of locally-produced products and more,

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Thebacha, that the Government of the Northwest Territories develop a Food Security Strategy by engaging Northwest Territories residents, harvesters, and agricultural producers, develop a coordinated and comprehensive approach to programs and services with specific targets, actions and timelines; and, further, that the Premier appoint a Minister responsible for Food Security to lead this work;

AND FURTHER, that the Food Security Strategy include the following:

The Government of the Northwest Territories prioritize the development of a Food Security Strategy based on lessons learned from community-based food security initiatives and to complete this strategy in 12 to 18 months;

The Government of the Northwest Territories begin interdepartmentally advancing food security by identifying principles for NWT food security over the next four months;

The Government of the Northwest Territories coordinate the income assistance review with the development of a Northwest Territories Food Security Strategy to ensure the most vulnerable residents have access to affordable and nutritious food;

The Government of the Northwest Territories review the effectiveness of all Government of the Northwest Territories food security funding programs as based on the principles for achieving Northwest Territories food security and to revise program funding where necessary over six to 12 months;

The Government of the Northwest Territories implement community-based food security coordinators in the most food insecure communities in the Northwest Territories;

The Government of the Northwest Territories remove all of its legislative regulatory barriers over the next 12 months to facilitate regional sharing of harvested meat or other products -- other food products;

The Government of the Northwest Territories pilot an initiative immediately that improves the effectiveness of community-based freezers, kitchens, and food preparation and food -- food -- storage programs in the highest risk communities and use this experience to inform the development of the food security strategy;

The Government of the Northwest Territories develop and implement tracking of local food production, set specific targets to improve food security; and,

The Government of the Northwest Territories develop and implement a Northwest Territories food security website with email and phone contacts immediately so there is a clear point of contact in the Government of the Northwest Territories to track community concerns and advance initiatives; and, furthermore,

That the government respond to this motion within 120 days. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.