Iqaluit, Nunavut - Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency
Canada's northern food sector has significant potential to increase its production, grow the local economy, and create new jobs. Supporting investment in community-led projects is essential to leveraging local knowledge and resources, strengthening culturally-relevant food systems, and finding innovative solutions to regional challenges.
Today, the Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs and Minister responsible for CanNor, announced that the Government of Canada is investing close to $15 million in renewed funding over three years for the Northern Isolated Community Initiatives Fund (NICI). NICI is a proven program that supports food sector businesses and social enterprises, including community and Indigenous-led projects that reduce dependence on the southern food industry.
Funding will be administered through the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) for the territories, while the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec (CED) and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) will manage new funding for Nunavik (northern Quebec) and Nunatsiavut (northern Labrador), respectively.
Through the renewal and expansion of this important program, the Government of Canada is supporting initiatives that improve community food resiliency and diversify economic growth across the North.
