As Nunavut residents gear up for the upcoming elections, the soaring prices of food are a pressing concern for many. Statistics Canada data shows that nearly 60% of households in Nunavut experienced food insecurity in 2024, the highest rate in the country.
In Gjoa Haven, Kenneth Mamimalik expressed the challenges of affording daily necessities as prices continue to rise, hoping for a change to improve the community’s quality of life. Similarly, in Taloyoak, Fabien Kongelik highlighted the struggles faced by families, with many going hungry and resorting to seeking food assistance online or through radio broadcasts.
A study by researchers at Toronto Metropolitan University revealed a 22.7% increase in grocery basket costs in the Qikiqtaaluk region between 2022 and 2023, surpassing the national food-price inflation average of 12% over the same period. The research utilized grocery receipts from the Inuit Child First Initiative food voucher program in Baffin communities to monitor price fluctuations.
The discontinuation of the Inuit Child First Initiative (ICFI) program, which previously provided food vouchers in some areas, has exacerbated challenges for families. In Igloolik, the absence of the program left a significant gap, leading to increased struggles for many households, as noted by community coordinator Carolyn Tapardjuk.
Tapardjuk emphasized the hardships faced by families since the program’s termination, with some individuals sacrificing meals to ensure their children have enough to eat. She called for the reinstatement of the food voucher program or alternative solutions like food hampers or community food banks to address the food insecurity issue.
At the Ikurraq Food Bank in Rankin Inlet, volunteer Angnaluaaq Friesen reported a surge in demand for assistance, particularly for baby essentials and basic groceries previously supported by ICFI. Friesen suggested that communities explore establishing local food banks, citing resources available through Food Banks Canada.
Ahead of the elections, communities in Nunavut are urging for sustainable actions to tackle food affordability and accessibility challenges. Whether through revitalized food voucher initiatives, grassroots food bank initiatives, or innovative community support mechanisms, residents are calling on leaders to implement tangible solutions to address the issue.