June 4, 2015 – Ottawa, ON – Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
The Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, issued the following statement today, after receiving the Nutrition North Canada (NNC) Advisory Board's recommendations for the wider application of a point-of-sale receipt system:
"Our Government is committed to ensuring that Northerners, like all Canadians, have access to quality, nutritious food in a manner that is efficient, cost-effective and transparent.
Northerners have asked that retailers receiving a subsidy under Nutrition North Canada (NNC) make efforts to increase transparency. That is why, on March 26, 2015 I directed the NNC Advisory Board to provide me with advice and recommendations by June 1, 2015 on how to apply a point-of-sale system.
This new system will ensure that customers see how and when the NNC subsidy is applied to their grocery bill. This means that consumers will be able to clearly see the amount of the subsidy passed on to them, ensuring greater retailer transparency and accountability.
Today, I would like to extend my thanks to the NNC Advisory Board for their recommendations.
We strongly believe that Northerners deserve to see the NNC savings on their grocery bill and that a point-of-sale system is a step retailers should take to clearly demonstrate that the full subsidy is being passed on to consumers.
In the coming weeks, we will assess the Advisory Board's recommendations to determine the best approach that will benefit all Northerners.
I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate Mr. Gordon Harkness on his appointment to the NNC Advisory Board. Mr. Harkness brings to the Advisory Board a vast knowledge and years of experience, along with a keen understanding and appreciation of all aspects of northern retailing, including distribution and transportation.
His experience will be yet another asset to the Nutrition North Advisory Board and will help to provide Northerners with a direct voice in helping guide the program."
Emily Hillstrom
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Bernard Valcourt
819-997-0002
Media Relations
Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
819-953-1160
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