The Nutrition North [NN] program gets closer to replacing the food mail program. April 1 is the day; media in the far north continues to cover this important issue. Media in Labrador do not put much importance in the health of Inuit. CBC H-V G-B is short staffed and too busy, The Labradorian does not seem to put much emphasis on coastal issues either, only CKOK [listen to audio] has being following the issue, and so they should.

Judging by the articles in Northern media and letters to the editor one gets the sense that the North West Company [NWC] is not very popular up there. Judging by comments made by the Minister responsible for the program he does not have much of a handle on what is going on either.

There seems much confusion with managers of the stores and top officials with NWC as to what is actually going on with subsidies in the interim between the old program and the new program. I thought it was cut and dried, the old program would continue, albeit with reduced eligible products, until the new program kicks in on April 1.

I do not know if the same confusion is happening in Labrador as I have heard nothing from retailers or consumers or the media on the topic.

What is clear is the new program seems to be a work in progress with promised changes to be put in play IF there is enough feed back from eligible suppliers, retailers and consumers.

Some country food is eligible under the new program, but before people in Labrador get overly excited just read the hoop’s that have to be jumped through before that can happen.

Northern Country Food Processors/Distributors: Federally-regulated country food processors/distributors and/or approved-for-export, commercial plants located in the North that supply eligible items to eligible communities, that possess a Business Number issued by the Canada Revenue Agency, that meet the Program's selection criteria, as set out by the Department, and that agree to the terms and conditions of the arrangements to be made with INAC for the transfer of funds (the subsidy).

The only eligible business that I am aware of for possible participation has closed its doors due to new provincial hunting regulation. Can that be changed? Who knows?

So much work still to be done and I wonder who will be watching and making sure that the Labrador portion of the program runs the way it is supposed to.