Engagement Sessions on Nutrition North Canada

Overview

On May 21, 2010, Minister Strahl announced the creation of a new retail food subsidy program, Nutrition North Canada (NNC), which will replace the Food Mail Program in April 2011. This engagement phase will focus on explaining the mechanics of the new program to food suppliers, such as Northern retailers and southern wholesalers and retailers, who may wish to take part in the new program.  This process will also help to inform the development of communications products that will be used to inform consumers about the new program and how it works.

Process

Engagement sessions took place across the country.  Participants included: Northern retailers and southern food suppliers (retailers and wholesalers), who may take part in the current Food Mail Program, and have an interest in taking part in the Nutrition North Canada Program. Where requested, AANDC officials will also meet with: (1) senior representatives in provincial, territorial, regional and local governments; (2) select National Aboriginal Organizations; (3) key experts, especially those in retail operations and transportation; (4) leaders in northern communities and other southern locations.

The May 21, 2010, announcement of the Nutrition North Canada Program, slated for implementation on April 1, 2011, required engagement with various stakeholders throughout 2010, and into the spring 2011.

Status

The following public engagement activities took place. These were public meetings for which no reports were produced:

• June 15, 2010, NNC presentation to Nunavut Economic Forum, Iqaluit, Nunavut.
• September 29, NNC presentation at Northern Exposure Conference, Winnipeg, MB
• November 22, 2010, Old Crow, Yukon
• February 3, 2011, NNC Advisory Board meeting in Ottawa
• February 20, 2011, Grise Fiord, Nunavut
• February 20-21, 2011, Arctic Bay, Nunavut
• March 15, 2011, Cambridge Bay, Nunavut
• March 16, 2011, Rankin Inlet, Nunavut

What information is available?

• Nutrition North Canada announcement