Hope on the Horizon: Nutrition North Considers Expanding to Reach More Northern Communities
Across Canada’s North, a diverse array of communities face isolation and limited access to affordable, nutritious food.
The Nutritional North Canada program, a federal initiative aimed at alleviating this challenge, is currently reviewing its eligibility criteria with a view to expanding its reach.
Wayne Walsh, director-general of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, addressed the Legislative Assembly in Yellowknife on a recent visit, revealing the government is deeply considering bringing Nutrition North to what they call “semi-isolated communities.”
The specific communities this would encompass are still being determined; however, Walsh stressed that new assessment criteria would play a key role in eligibility.
Propelled by feedback highlighting shortcomings in the existing definition of isolation, the program’s focus is shifting towards communities facing “the same or worse levels of food insecurity,” according to Walsh.
This marks a significant potential shift in how the program operates, recognizing that food insecurity doesn’t always neatly align with geographic isolation.
“We are looking at [expanding the program],” Walsh stated.
“It’s something we’ve been considering and hopefully we’ll have good news – you know, knock on wood – depending on what the government decides.”
Nutrition North has a history of review and adjustment since its launch in 2011. Initially, only communities benefiting from the earlier “food mail” program were eligible. Walsh himself acknowledged those early iteration had limitations, prompting revisions in subsequent years.
“Over the years, eligibility has changed to incorporate isolated Northern communities,” Walsh explained. These communities are typically defined as those lacking road access and reliant on air transportation for more than eight months per year.
The proposed expansion to include “semi-isolated” communities indicates a commitment by the government to address the multi-faceted reality of food insecurity in Canada’s North.
The idea of “semi-isolated” communities opens the door for the program to reach communities facing different challenges.
“We need partners like Transport Canada to look at alternatives in building that infrastructure so there’s some stability there, because it’s just becoming more and more acute,” said Walsh during a discussion on the issue.
The discussion wasn’t limited to expanding access to subsidized food. Replaying a shared commitment to food security, representatives from both the program and Food Banks Canada also addressed the specific challenges facing communities in the Northwest Territories.
MLA Jane Weyallon Armstrong shared that residents in her community travel to Yellowknife to purchase more affordable groceries, highlighting the recurring challenges faced by those living in isolated areas.
“We need more food banks in communities, especially where there is only one store and no retail competition,” she stressed, highlighting a specific area of need.
Food security is a multi-faceted issue, and Food Banks Canada is striving to create direct relationships with Northern communities to thoroughly assess their needs.
Historic dependence on Funding is another factor adding complexity to food securityhagen, the ability to uniquely address unique local suggestions.
“We can be the voice for the northern communities, as well as being the liaison between ourselves and external organizations to promote and secure food security programs within the region,” explained Jay Stevens, program officer with Food Banks Canada.
Stevens highlited the growing need for support in the North, revealing, “We’ve really been building a relationship with the communities” as a program, highlighting their dedication to supporting impacted residents.
Nutrition North, currently operating without a dedicated office in Yellowknife – its staff are based in Ottawa. Both of these organisations have been invited to visit communities in the Sahtu region. Finally,
Explicitly inviting community feedback and planned logistical partnerships demonstrate a proactive approach by the North.
What are the challenges faced by “semi-isolated” communities in accessing affordable and nutritious food?
## Hope for Northern Communities: Nutrition North Expansion in Sight?
**Interviewer:** Joining us today is Wayne Walsh, Director-General of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, to discuss the potential expansion of the Nutrition North Canada program.
Wayne, thank you for being here.
**Wayne Walsh:** My pleasure.
**Interviewer:** Let’s get right to it. There’s been a lot of buzz about Nutrition North expanding to reach “semi-isolated” communities. Can you shed some light on this for our listeners?
**Wayne Walsh**: Absolutely. For some time now, we’ve recognized that geographic isolation isn’t the only factor contributing to food insecurity in the North. We’ve received valuable feedback highlighting the need to expand our scope beyond communities solely reliant on air transportation. [1](https://www.rcaanc.gc.ca/eng/1539039004248/1539039088588). This has led us to seriously consider incorporating “semi-isolated” communities into the program.
**Interviewer:** That’s encouraging news. What exactly does “semi-isolated” mean in this context? Because, obviously, isolation isn’t always black and white.
**Wayne Walsh:** You’re right, it’s a complex issue. We’re still working on defining these new eligibility criteria, but the focus will be on communities experiencing comparable levels of food insecurity to those currently served by Nutrition North. It’s about recognizing the diversity of challenges faced by Northern communities and responding accordingly.
**Interviewer:** This expansion wouldn’t be the program’s first iteration, correct?
**Wayne Walsh:** That’s true. Nutrition North has evolved since its inception in 2011. It started with communities previously served by the “food mail” program, but we’ve made changes to broaden eligibility over the years. The key is continuous improvement and ensuring we’re truly addressing the needs of the North.
**Interviewer:** Looking ahead, what are the next steps in this process?
**Wayne Walsh:** We’re actively consulting with communities, gathering data, and working with partners like Transport Canada to develop a sustainable model. We’re hopeful that we can announce positive news soon, but ultimately, the final decision rests with the government.
**Interviewer:** Wayne, thank you for providing this valuable insight into the potential future of Nutrition North. We wish you and the team all the best in this critical endeavor.
