Aluki Kotierk Leads External Review of Nutrition North Canada Program
In February 2025, the Government of Canada appointed Aluki Kotierk, former president of Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated (NTI), to lead an external review of the Nutrition North Canada (NNC) food subsidy program. This appointment was announced by Northern Affairs Minister Gary Anandasangaree during a news conference in Ottawa. Kotierk’s role as the minister’s special representative is to evaluate the program’s effectiveness and provide recommendations for improvement, with a final report expected in 2026.
The Nutrition North Canada program aims to reduce the high cost of food in remote northern communities by providing subsidies to retailers and suppliers. These subsidies are intended to be passed on to consumers, making essential foods more affordable. However, the program has faced criticism regarding whether retailers are fully passing on the savings to northerners, prompting the need for an independent evaluation.
Kotierk’s Background and Approach to the Review
Aluki Kotierk brings extensive experience to the review process, having served two terms as president of NTI and held senior positions with the Government of Nunavut. She is also a standing member of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. Kotierk, who is from Iqaluit but grew up in Igloolik, emphasized that northerners possess the knowledge and experience to determine what works best for their communities.
Her mandate includes meeting with national and regional Indigenous organizations, retailers, transportation providers, and other stakeholders involved in the northern food supply chain. Kotierk stated that the review will assess whether the program is efficient and effective, and she is open to exploring all options to better support northerners in accessing nutritious, culturally appropriate food.
Program Structure and Geographic Reach
According to government information, the Nutrition North Canada program serves 124 northern communities across multiple provinces and territories, including Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, and Newfoundland and Labrador. The program consists of four components: the retail subsidy, the harvester’s support grant, the community food initiative, and a research component. Many communities are also eligible for the harvester’s support grant, which aims to support local food harvesting activities.
The federal government has also indicated that the Competition Bureau may investigate pricing practices of food retailers in the North as part of efforts to ensure transparency and fairness in the subsidy distribution process.
Expected Outcomes and Timeline
Kotierk is expected to deliver a final report on her findings and recommendations to Minister Anandasangaree in 2026. The review process is designed to be inclusive, giving northerners the opportunity to provide input on how to improve the Nutrition North program to better meet their needs for healthy, affordable, and culturally relevant food.
This external review represents a significant step in the government’s commitment to strengthening food security in Northern Canada and ensuring that federal subsidy programs are accountable and responsive to the communities they serve.