Conservative failure to invest in Canada’s North hurting Northern families

July 18, 2013

OTTAWA– The Conservatives’ failure to invest in the North has deprived families of adequate services and made the cost of living unsustainable, said Liberal Northern Development and Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency critic, Yvonne Jones, today.

“The Conservative government’s failure to invest in Northern communities has hurt Northern families and is jeopardising opportunities for economic growth,” said Ms. Jones. “The federally funded Nutrition North program has sent food prices skyrocketing, a lack of basic health and mental health services is compounding the effects of changes in the Arctic, many Northern communities still lack access to fast, reliable broadband internet, and grossly inadequate housing has left too many without a place to live.”

In Nunavut alone, it is estimated that 3,000 new housing units are currently needed, with 90 more required per year simply to keep up with population growth. At the same time, food security remains a pressing issue in Northern Canada, and continuous price increases – some reportedly as high as 250% – are proof that the Nutrition North program is not working.

“In a few weeks the Prime Minister will head to the North for his annual Arctic photo-op and, once again, show us just how out of touch he is with the everyday realities of Northern Canadian families,” said Ms. Jones. “Mr. Harper should take the time to meet with real Northerners and commit to providing the same access to opportunities and government services that other Canadians already receive.”