The Government of Canada is committed to supporting the efforts of Northerners and scientists to gain a better understanding of contaminant levels in the traditionally harvested foods that are so important to the diet of northern and Indigenous people.

“It is vital that people across the North live in a healthy environment with safe food. That’s why we want to support projects that elevate the work of scientists and Indigenous knowledge holders who have a deep understanding of this ecosystem and how pollutants travel through it. This work will also provide the Government with better information to assess the impacts on traditional and country foods that are of great nutritional and cultural importance to people of this region.”

The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, M.D., P.C., M.P.
Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs

• As in previous years, through the Northern Contaminants Program (NCP), the department will provide over $4 million in total funding in 2018-2019 for 50-60 projects focused on environmental and community based monitoring and research; health research; and capacity, communications and outreach activities.

• Community members and Indigenous and territorial governments are encouraged to work in partnership with university and federal scientists to submit proposals for projects that focus on this important environmental health issue.

• All proposals will be subject to a thorough, multi-stage technical and social/cultural review process conducted in coordination with subject matter experts, and Northern and Indigenous members of five regional committees in Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Nunavik and Nunatsiavut.

Associated Links

• Northern Contaminants Program
• NCP funded projects (2017-2018)
• NCP funded projects (2016-2017)

Sabrina Williams
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Carolyn Bennett
613-697-8316

INAC Media Relations
Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada
819-953-1160