As the upcoming election in Nunavut approaches, the soaring expenses of food are a pressing concern for many voters in the region. Nearly 60% of households in Nunavut faced food insecurity in 2024, marking the highest rate in the country as per Statistics Canada data.
In Gjoa Haven, Kenneth Mamimalik highlighted the increasing difficulty in affording daily necessities, expressing a desire for more affordability to enhance the community’s quality of life. Similarly, in Taloyoak, Fabien Kongelik noted families experiencing hunger and seeking assistance through online and radio appeals.
A study titled “Food Prices in Qikiqtaaluk, Nunavut, 2022–2023” by researchers from Toronto Metropolitan University revealed a 22.7% rise in grocery costs in the Qikiqtaaluk region between 2022 and 2023, surpassing the national average increase of about 12%. The research gathered data from grocery receipts in various Baffin communities through the Inuit Child First Initiative food voucher program.
Changes to the federal Inuit Child First Initiative (ICFI), which formerly supported food vouchers in certain communities, have exacerbated challenges for many families. In Igloolik, the discontinuation of the program left a significant gap, impacting families who now struggle to access sufficient food resources.
Carolyn Tapardjuk, a community co-ordinator in Igloolik, emphasized the hardships faced by families since the program’s termination, with some resorting to skipping meals to ensure children are fed. She advocated for the reinstatement of the food voucher program or alternative measures like food hampers or community food banks to address the pressing issue.
At the Ikurraq Food Bank in Rankin Inlet, volunteer Angnaluaaq Friesen highlighted the escalating demand for assistance, particularly for baby essentials and basic groceries previously supported by ICFI. Friesen urged communities to proactively address the situation, mentioning Food Banks Canada as a valuable resource for establishing local food banks.
Ahead of the elections in Nunavut, communities are calling for sustainable solutions to the food affordability crisis. Whether through revived food voucher programs, community-driven food banks, or innovative local support initiatives, residents are urging leaders to take decisive actions to enhance food accessibility and affordability throughout the territory.