Invest in cold climate innovation like northern green house innovation. Support crop Diversification initiatives and northern agriculture support. Invest in next generation farmers to encourage continuing generations of farmers. Expand traditional food access by reducing red tape and regulation.  Encourage services to process smaller livestock meat options. Incentivize buy local commitments to help create a stronger market. Reduce transportation needs through local access and local distribution.

The government must take concrete steps to put people and communities — not big corporations — at the centre of our food systems. That means stronger regulation of corporate grocery chains, greater transparency around food pricing, and targeted investments in community-based food initiatives like co-ops, local markets, and food hubs. It means shifting public dollars toward programs that help families access healthy food — instead of padding the profits of grocery CEOs. Building real resilience means supporting local farmers, strengthening regional supply chains, and keeping essential groceries affordable — especially when the world faces disruptions.It also means taking climate change seriously. That includes investing in sustainable agriculture, protecting our water and soil, and making sure our food systems can withstand whatever challenges come our way.A food system that’s fair, local, and climate-ready is possible — but only if we have leaders who are willing to challenge corporate interests and fight for working people.

If we’re to be resilient and self-reliant, we need to invest in local food production. Let’s make it easier to grow food right here in the Yukon, to reduce our dependency on food trucked in from the south. Let’s make it easier to share food in the north, too, by reducing barriers to buying from local suppliers, even across territorial and provincial borders.

We must invest in resilient, community-led food systems that reflect the realities of life in the North. This means supporting infrastructure like community food hubs that include kitchens, cold storage, teaching space, and culturally appropriate food preparation facilities. Projects like the Ihdzi’ Gathering Place in Mayo and the YFNED Traditional Processing Kitchen that supports their programs across the territory are leading examples of how we can strengthen local food security and community capacity in the face of global instability, climate change, and the affordability crisis. These kinds of investments are more than just an emergency response, they build lasting, long-term local resilience.

Including many of the points above, the Government needs to shrink the gap between wages and inflation by reducing personal and corporate taxes.  Making food affordable for families that are now relying on food banks and emergency hamper services can and must decline. This includes making all other facets of life more affordable.  Over 2 million Canadians now rely on food bank services just to get by.  Child poverty rates are on the rise and are most staggering for our First Nation citizens.  Building strong local networks won’t replace food transportation entirely so affordability is critical to reduce severe food insecurity.

The government has a responsibility to make sure no one in Canada goes hungry — and that starts by treating food like the essential right it is, not a luxury. Reducing food insecurity means raising incomes, supporting NGOs, lowering costs, and taking on the corporate greed that’s driving up prices. That includes capping essential grocery prices, making billionaires pay their fair share, and expanding programs like school lunches and community food funding. We also need to tackle the root causes — poverty, unaffordable housing, and stagnant wages. When people have stable work, safe homes, and money left over after the bills, they can put good food on the table. Canada has the resources to end food insecurity. What’s been missing is the political will. That’s what I’m here to change.

We need food bank programs to be properly and reliably funded. But that’s just a short-term fix. To tackle long-term food insecurity, we need to look at making food more affordable in the remote communities of the north, and supporting people on low incomes with the Guaranteed Livable Income.

To truly reduce food insecurity, the federal government should continue to fund community-led programs like the Tr’ondek Hwech’in Farm and YFNED’s food education initiatives. These programs are rooted in traditional knowledge and local food production, and they provide sustainable, culturally relevant solutions. Food security is about affordability, but also about access, education and sovereignty. In a broader context, affordability in the Yukon is about more than just prices on the shelf - it’s about transportation, infrastructure, and the cost of simply getting food into communities. That’s why we must respond with a comprehensive approach that includes cultural, economic, and logistical realities unique to our region.

Yukon’s MP roll in this area would be to advocate for the supports the responsible Territorial Government is requesting to deliver the services within their jurisdiction.  These programs have clear value for the learning environment and the overall development and wellbeing of students.

Every child in Canada should have access to healthy food at school — no exceptions. Programs like these aren’t extras, they’re essential. They help kids learn, grow, and thrive. I fully support expanding school food programming across the country, and I’ll work to make sure the new federal investment in the Yukon actually reaches the children who need it — especially in Northern and Indigenous communities. That includes fighting to restore and protect Jordan’s Principle funding for the Yukon First Nation Education Directorate. That support has been foundational, and delaying it is unacceptable.We can’t make federal funding promises with one hand and erase vital support with the other. And we absolutely can’t let communities like the Food Bank Society of the Yukon be forced to pick up the pieces if school food programs disappear. If we’re serious about reconciliation, if we’re serious about equity, then ensuring every child gets a healthy meal at school has to be a non-negotiable priority.

For too many children, school is their most reliable source of a daily meal. We need to make sure school food programs are fully funded, and that any changes in funding regimes do not detract from this goal.

I strongly support the National School Food Program - and was proud to recently announce the $7.4 million agreement between the Governments of Yukon and Canada - that will directly enhance children' s learning outcomes - while supporting our families. I’ve heard directly from the Food Bank Society of the Yukon and others: these meals are essential. Food is not a luxury, it’s a basic need. When the changes to Jordan’s Principle arose, which has been foundational to school food programs for Yukon First Nations, I worked to secure a meeting between the Minister of Indigenous Services and Yukon First Nation leadership. We have since confirmed this critical funding will continue.

While the Liberal Government has had 9 years to reflect on and adjust the program, concerns still exist with the parameters of eligibility, food preferences and affordability.  The stark reality of the connection between affordable food, healthy food, traditional food and health outcomes requires a renewed focus on program evaluation in partnership with recipients and recipient communities with flexible frameworks that allow adaptability to meet the specific needs of a region or community.  Consultation must include stakeholders who provide transportation, distribution, delivery and store front services.

Nutrition North needs a serious overhaul — because the current model just isn’t working for too many Yukon communities. First, we need to change the definition of “isolated” so that more Yukon communities actually qualify for support. Access to affordable, healthy, and culturally appropriate food shouldn't depend on how Ottawa defines your geography. Second, we need to move away from a model that benefits big southern suppliers more than the communities it’s meant to serve. That means creating space for Northern and Indigenous suppliers, harvesters, and co-ops to be at the centre of food distribution — not left out of it. Studies show that not all of the savings from the subsidy are being passed on to consumers, especially where there’s little or no retail competition. That’s not acceptable. We need real transparency, community oversight, and accountability baked into the program. And finally, the program must reflect what people actually eat — including traditional foods and culturally relevant diets. We need to support local food systems, land-based harvesting, and Indigenous-led food programs that put control back into the hands of the people who live here. A fair and effective food subsidy program can’t be built in a boardroom in Ottawa. It has to be shaped by the people who rely on it every day — and I’ll always be here to make sure Yukon voices are at that table.

By expanding the definition of remote communities to include road accessible Yukon communities and communities severely at risk of climate changes disruption. By making sure every components of the program is properly funded, including the Harvesters Support Grant and Community Food Programs Fund. Let’s make it easier to share food in the north, too, by reducing barriers to buying from local suppliers, even across territorial and provincial borders.

Nutrition North is undergoing both an internal and external review - including the important work led by Karen Kotierk - and this is the right time to ensure it reflects the needs of northern communities. Too many Yukon communities have been left out due to the program’s narrow definition of “isolation”, despite facing some of the highest food costs in the country. The program’s narrow criteria - like its definition of “isolation” have excluded many remote Yukon communities that face high costs and food insecurity. The review should address this definition, and ensure that subsidies are passed onto customers. The review should also strengthen complementary programs like the Harvesters Support Grant, which is key to advancing food autonomy and cultural preservation. I will continue to advocate for a reformed model that works for Yukon communities and reflects the voices of Yukoners.