COMMUNITY CONSULTATIONS ON CHURCHILL FOOD MAIL ENTRY POINT

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IQALUIT, NUNAVUT (May 11, 2005) - Member of Parliament Nancy Karetak-Lindell, on behalf of Minister of State Ethel Blondin-Andrew, today announced that community consultations will be held to consider alternatives to the Churchill entry point for Food Mail service to the Kivalliq Region of Nunavut.

"The Food Mail program is vital to Northern communities," said Ethel Blondin-Andrew, Minister of State (Northern Development). "By providing funding to Canada Post to cover part of the cost of flying nutritious perishable food to isolated communities and promoting their consumption, we are improving the health and well-being of Northerners. However, it is important that we review the Churchill entry point to be sure we are providing the best possible service to the Kivalliq Region."

"We are listening to concerns of Northerners in isolated communities of the high costs of alternative healthy foods and this is a good start,"said Nancy Karetak-Lindell, Member of Parliament for Nunavut. "It is important that food prices and quality in communities in the Kivalliq Region be brought into line with regions served from other entry points. I look forward to the solutions that will be found through consultation with interested businesses, hamlet councils, community residents, the Government of Nunavut and Inuit organizations."

Food Mail service has been available in some regions for over 30 years. However, it was not until 1991 that this service became available in the Kivalliq Region. By subsidizing the shipment of food and other essential items by air to communities that are not accessible year-round by road, rail or marine service, Food Mail makes it possible for retailers in these communities to sell fresh food at lower prices.

This review is being held in response to a recommendation made previously by both the Auditor General and the Government of Nunavut.

Three public consultation meetings have been scheduled to take place in Churchill, Manitoba on May 24, in Arviat, Nunavut on May 25, and in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut on May 26.

For more information, please contact:

Margot Geduld
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
Media Relations
(819) 994-2044