Julie Green

I thank the Minister for that response. I just want to confirm with him that in fact there is a commitment to follow through with the increases scheduled earlier to the food allowance under income assistance.

Thank you colleagues. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The territorial government has a role to play in lobbying the federal government to expand and improve the Nutrition North Canada Subsidy. I will have questions for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, hunger is a reality in the North. Caregivers can't afford to feed their children a balanced meal. They reduce the size of their kids' meals because they don't have enough food. They are going hungry themselves because they can't afford to buy food. Some lose weight as a result. These findings are part of a report by Food Banks Canada with the title, “What Will It Take to Make Real Progress on Northern Food Security?” It was published last month.

Mr. Speaker, 20 per cent of NWT households don't have enough food. Why not? Because of the high cost of store-bought...

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you to the witness for her answer. Can we get a ballpark idea of when the country food strategy might be complete? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Could I learn who the partners are, please? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. In his opening remarks, the Minister said that one of the focuses of the department was to improve food security by encouraging local food production. Could he tell me in what segment of the budget I would find that referenced? Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to deal with the motion I gave notice of just now.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Thursday, June 9, 2016, I will move the following motion: I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Great Slave, that, notwithstanding Rule 4, when this House adjourns on June 9, 2016, it shall be adjourned until Monday, June 13, 2016. And further, that at any time prior to June 13, 2016, if the Speaker is satisfied, after consultation with the Executive Council and Members of the Legislative Assembly, that the public interest requires that the House should meet at an earlier time during the adjournment, the Speaker may give notice and...

Thank you to the Minister for that answer. Mr. Speaker, what efforts is the territorial government making to ensure that Nutrition North becomes a more useful program in the North for providing nutritious and affordable food? Thank you.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned in my statement, households that depend on government for income are at greater risk of being hungry than other households with low income. The government has acknowledged this fact by raising the food allowance portion of income assistance. Can the Minister of Education, Culture, and Employment confirm his commitment to follow through with increases to the food allowance in the next two fiscal years? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.