(July 14, 2021) – Lela Evans, PC Opposition Shadow Minister for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation and Labrador Affairs, today commended Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami for releasing their Inuit Nunangat Food Security Strategy.

Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami has described food security issues for Inuit as “…among the longest-lasting public health crises in Canada.”

Evans says the initiative spearheaded by the national Inuit organization comes at a critical time for people in the district of Torngat Mountains. Food security in northern Labrador communities have seriously deteriorated under the recent policies of this provincial government, says Evans.

“For far too long, Inuit and other Indigenous peoples in Canada have faced chronic food insecurity, including here in our province and this is welcome news,” said Evans.

“This provincial Liberal government removed one of the major lifelines we had to buffer us against food insecurity: the former freight boat from Lewisporte to Labrador. In reaction to this decision, the Nunatsiavut First Minister said that this government is violating their land claims agreement. Now the Inuit and Innu peoples of the northern Labrador are living with the consequences,” said Evans.

“It is this policy change, the removal of the freight boat that has derided the social and economic wellbeing of our communities. We are among the most food insecure in the province. In addition, we are now living with consequences of the past decision to exclude our 6 indigenous communities when this province was building the ‘so called’ TransLabrador highway. We see the advantages of road access given to all the other regions of Labrador while we face huge transportation crisis for freight and passenger travel.

“If a road to North Coast communities is ever built it will be years away. It will take Indigenous peoples coming together to find solutions to food security for our communities. Actions by this provincial Liberal government have clearly shown that they simply do not care about us.”

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Contacts:

David Maher

Director of Strategic Communications

(cell) 709-725-0984

DavidMaher@gov.nl.ca