OTTAWA, April 1, 2015 /CNW/ - The Honourable Bernard
Valcourt, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development,
today announced further strides in improving the transparency and
accountability of the Nutrition North Canada (NNC) program.
As of April 1, 2015, a new clause,
part of the 2015-2016 funding agreements for all NNC registered
retailers serving the NNC-eligible communities, requires them to
make profit margin information available to independent auditors
retained by the department to undertake compliance reviews. This
new requirement responds directly to the recommendation of the
Auditor General of Canada in
chapter 6 of his report, released on November 25, 2014.
The Government of Canada
remains committed to improving the program to meet its goals as
efficiently as possible in a transparent way. To that end,
last week, Minister Valcourt directed the Advisory Board to examine
how to implement point of sale measures and provide the federal
government with advice and recommendations on its application by
June 1, 2015.
Such a system will improve the transparency of the program,
ultimately benefitting northern consumers and families.
Quick Facts
- Nutrition North Canada (NNC)
is a Government program that was launched on April 1, 2011, to provide Northerners with
improved access to nutritious and perishable food at a lower price
than in the absence of a program.
- Results for the cost of the Revised Northern Food Basket for a
family of four dropped on average by 7.2 per cent, or approximately
$137 per month between April 2011 and March
2014. According to Statistics Canada, food prices elsewhere
in Canada increased on average by
approximately 5.5 per cent over the same time period.
- The program is achieving better results than anticipated in
reducing food prices. As of March
2014, the Northern Revised Food Basket is 1.4% lower than
March 2013 According to Statistics
Canada, food prices elsewhere in Canada increased 1.6% between March 2013 and March
2014.
- In total, during this year and next year, the Government of
Canada will invest $133.7 million in direct subsidies for nutritious
foods for Northerners.
Quote
"Our Government is committed to continue increasing access to
healthy, perishable foods in Northern communities. The
implementation of this amendment is an important step forward in
our work to continually improve upon this program and increase
access to perishable, nutritious foods in isolated northern
communities."
Bernard Valcourt,
Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development
Related Products
Statement by Minister Valcourt on Further Improvements to the
Nutrition North Canada Program
Associated Links
Nutrition North
Canada
How Nutrition North Canada Works
Revised Northern Food Basket
Nutrition North Canada:
Results
Nutrition North Canada Advisory Board
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SOURCE Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada