Mining companies not eligible for food mail

As of Oct. 1, mining companies, construction crews, exploration camps and weather stations are officially booted off the eligibility list for the national food mail subsidy.

Food mail allows northern food stores and individuals to ship nutritious perishable foods, healthy non-perishable food and essential non-food items like detergent and shampoo at a reduced cargo rate.

In the past, mines voluntarily refrained from accessing the program, but in recent years, a DIAND press release says, some suppliers in the South have begun offering direct food mail shipments to government and business outposts, and others have inquired as to whether it’s allowed.

“Canada Post asked for some clarification on that because some businesses were wondering if they could ship to mines,” said Fred Hill, manager of northern food security for the department of Indian Affairs in Ottawa.

“That isn’t the intent of the program and those direct shipments should not be allowed.”