Contaminants in the Northern Environment

Indian and Northern Affairs Canada's (INAC) Northern Contaminants Program (NCP) is working to reduce and, wherever possible, eliminate contaminants from sources in traditional foods, while providing information that will help people and communities make informed decisions.

What is the Northern Contaminants Program (NCP)?

The Northern Contaminants Program (NCP) is a program that was established by the Government of Canada in response to studies that showed the presence of contaminants in the Arctic ecosystem. Contaminants that are industrial man-made contaminants and not from Arctic sources, have been found at elevated levels in humans and in animals at the top of the Arctic food chain. As a result, the NCP monitors and studies the effects of these contaminants, and focuses mainly on persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and heavy metals contaminants, such as mercury.

The Northern Contaminants Program aims to:

• Address contaminant issues in communities of highest risk where people may be exposed to contaminant levels of concern to health authorities;
• conduct research and monitoring to provide sound dietary advice in communities of highest risk
• Meet Canada's obligations under the Stockholm Convention  and the Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution Convention 
• Provide education and communication to Northern communities to build awareness and an understanding of contaminants, and help support the ability of communities to deal with specific contaminant issues. For example, NCP ensures that individuals and communities in the North receive the information needed to assist informed decision making in their food use.

In the NWT, a Northwest Territories Environmental Contaminants Committee was developed to work with the Northern Contaminants Program. This committee consists of representatives from regional Aboriginal groups, as well as various departments in the federal and territorial governments. The group provide information to residents of the NWT on the presence and possible effects of long-range contaminants in air, land, water, fish, wildlife and humans as part of the NCP.

More information about contaminants in the Northern environment

For more information about the Northern Contaminants Program, please visit the Northern Contaminants Program website or contact the Northern Contaminants NT Region by:

phone (867) 669-5847, fax (867) 669-2721, and/or email: ntcard@inac-ainc.gc.ca.