Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Northwest Company which runs the stores across the North could be facing a class action lawsuit that was filed in Nunavut. It is alleged the company has been reducing the costs of groceries they sell despite taking tens of millions of dollars in subsidies from the federal Government of Canada through the Nutrition North program. This lawsuit will play out and even malpractice is not proven, but this is another sign that Nutrition North is not working as is intended. There are countless studies which show that the food insecurity has worsened since the program began. Some studies suggest as little as half of every dollar in subsidies paid out is passed on to northern families. We can read these studies, but we can also talk to our constituents because they show us proof that the rising affordable access to food firsthand.
While Nutrition North is a federal and territorial -- our territorial government is an important partner in administering the program. The GNWT's role in Nutrition North is to advocate for communities, identify where they need our -- the needs are, and improving the right feedback. In small communities are still struggling and the courts are become the route. Northerners are looking for change. They must be more either federal, territorial government could do more to improve the outcomes.
With Nutrition North approaching $2 billion spent since 2011, something needs to change if only half the money is making a difference. My constituents want to know what their government is doing to ensure federal subsidies 100 percent are passed on to them. They want this program to be more effective either through policy fixes or support for local businesses. I look forward to asking the Premier later how he intends to tackle this issue on food security through the GNWT-led initiative on closer corroboration with the Government of Canada. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from Tu Nedhe-Wiliideh. Members' statements. Member from Frame Lake.
