Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I see constituents in my riding struggling to put food on the table. In the 19th Assembly, the Government of the Northwest Territories committed to working with Indigenous governments and communities to make recommendations to improve the Nutrition North program. In 2021, the list of NWT communities eligible for the Nutrition North program increased by five, bringing the total number of communities in the NWT to 20.
Mr. Speaker, because the communities I represent are along the road system, we are not eligible for the subsidy or grant programs under the Nutrition North program. In 2018, the bureau of statistics showed that 26 percent of households in Fort Providence and 14 of homes in Enterprise are worried there's not enough money to pay for food.
Mr. Speaker, we also know income is the biggest determinant of food security. If residents in the NWT do not have enough money to pay for food, what subsidies or other financial relief can be provided to help them feed their families?
My concern, Mr. Speaker, is that the communities in my riding cannot access federal support programs to reduce the cost of living. There is support available through the federal government, but it's out of reach for my constituents. Is the GNWT advocating to the federal government to consider more NWT communities for eligibility under the Nutrition North program? How is the GNWT working with Indigenous leadership to address food security in the NWT? I will have questions for the Minister of ITI later today. Thank you.
