Nunavut MLA wants to question retailers, airlines, Nutrition North officials

Ron Elliot, the MLA for Quttiktuq, wants MLAs to get a chance to question federal officials and other stakeholders about the Nutrition North Canada program, which starts up April 1.

To that end, Elliot will put two motions before the house Feb. 25 to invite witnesses to appear before the Nunavut legislature’s committee of the whole to answer questions about Nutrition North.

“All members of the legislative assembly have an interest in ensuring that the new Nutrition North Canada program works well for our constituents,” Elliot said in a news release.

Tagak Curley, the MLA for Rankin Inlet North and the territorial health minister, will second Elliot’s motions.

This past fall, the House of Commons standing committee on northern affairs took a close look at Nutrition North, when they heard from numerous witnesses representing affected communities and private companies, such as Arctic Co-ops Ltd., North West Co., First Air, Canadian North, and others.

In member’s statement Feb. 22, Elliot said representatives of the same groups should also appear before the Nunavut legislature.

The Commons committee report on Nutrition North is now being drafted and is likely to be released soon.