Archived - Nutrition North Canada

Name of lead department(s): Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC)

Lead department program: Northern Governance and People

Start date of the Horizontal Initiative: April 1, 2011

End date of the Horizontal Initiative: Ongoing

Total federal funding allocation (start to end date): $301,350,000 over five years

Description of the Horizontal Initiative (including funding agreement):

The objective of AANDC's food subsidy program is to make healthy foods more accessible and affordable to residents of isolated northern communities.

Registered retailers in the North, country food processors/distributors located in eligible communities and food suppliers in the South who supply small retailers, institutions and individuals in these isolated communities can apply for a subsidy based on the weight of eligible foods shipped by air to eligible northern communities. These subsidies are to be passed on to northern consumers by appropriate reductions in the selling prices of eligible foods. The terms of the funding arrangements with AANDC's subsidy recipients (northern and southern retailers/wholesalers) are governed by contribution agreements.

Since price is not the only factor that influences consumption, the program will be supported by targeted Health Canada initiatives that encourage the purchase, preparation and consumption of healthy foods. Funding will flow to communities via contribution agreements with Aboriginal communities/organizations and/or territorial governments.

Shared outcome(s):

By making nutritious foods more accessible and affordable, the program seeks to increase their consumption and contribute to better overall health of both the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal populations.

The subsidy is expected to help lower the prices of nutritious foods in the North. Lower prices for nutritious foods in combination with complementary nutrition education activities are expected to increase consumption of healthy foods in the short to medium terms. In the longer term, the program expects that more individuals living in eligible communities will adopt healthier eating patterns that will help lower the rates of chronic and infectious diseases.

Governance structure(s):

An Oversight Committee and an External Advisory Board were created to provide direction and oversight for the new program. The role of the Oversight Committee is to monitor the achievement of program objectives and the effectiveness of cost-containment measures, and provide strategic direction to program managers on program policy and operational matters. AANDC chairs the committee and seeks advice from Health Canada on health and nutrition-related issues and from Transport Canada on transportation-related issues.

The Nutrition North Canada Advisory Board comprises five to seven members who represent the perspectives and interests of northern residents and communities in relation to the management and effectiveness of the program.

Planning Highlights:

The Nutrition North Canada program supports access to perishable, nutritious food by providing a retail subsidy for eligible products. It supports the work of the Nutrition North Canada Advisory Board to ensure that the perspectives and interests of northern residents and communities are considered in managing the program. As well, the program educates residents in eligible communities about nutrition and healthy eating to transfer skills to choose and prepare nutritious foods.

Federal Partner: Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada

Expected results by program:

In 2014–2015, AANDC will align its actions with the the following result:

• Subsidized food is available in eligible communities.

The Department will accomplish this by:

• increasing transparency through compliance reviews, enhanced quality assurance, and audit and quarterly reports posted on the Nutrition North Canada website;
• improving performance measurement and information by implementing appropriate tools and systems to collect and analyze trends;
• ensuring that the perspectives and interests of northern residents are considered through continuing engagement via social media, the Nutrition North Canada website and the Nutrition North Canada Advisory Board public meetings; and
• completing a comprehensive study of northern retailing to obtain feedback from northern customers, communities and retailers to further inform program policies.

Federal Partner: Health Canada

Expected results by program:

In 2014–2015, Health Canada will align its actions with the following expected result:

• Residents in eligible communities have knowledge of healthy eating and skills to choose and prepare nutritious foods.

The Department will accomplish this by:

• serving 72 communities with NNC nutrition education initiatives; and
• supporting 1,200 NNC nutrition education activities at the community level.

This information will be collected through the NNC annual reporting template for the nutrition education initiatives.

Results to be achieved by non-federal partners (if applicable):

In fulfillment of its mandate, the Nutrition North Canada Advisory Board will hold face-to-face meetings and public sessions in northern communities. The results of the face-to-face meetings will be conveyed in letters to the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development in which advice and recommendations will be included, as warranted.

Contact information:

Stephen van Dine
Director General Devolution and Territorial Relations
Northern Affairs Organizations
Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
Telephone: (819) 997-0223
Stephen.VanDine@aadnc-aandc.gc.ca