Backgrounder: The Government of Canada is investing over $4.7M to support traditional food production in Nunavut

June 18, 2026 – Gjoa Haven, Nunavut – Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor)

This information adds to the news release issued today Two Nunavut communities strengthen access to traditional foods with new processing facilities about the Government of Canada’s support, the organizations that received funding, and their projects.

The federal government is providing up to $4,787,324 in targeted funding for two community food processing plants in Nunavut. These projects will create jobs and improve access to local food for community members.

Project information

Project: Country foods processing facility development project
Recipient: Gjoa Haven Hunters and Trappers Association
Location: Gjoa Haven, Nunavut
Details: This three-year project will establish a country foods (traditional foods) processing facility. The facility will initially focus on Arctic char, with the potential to later process other country foods, such as muskox. This project will improve food security and food sovereignty by increasing the community’s capacity to process, package, store, and distribute locally harvested food. 
CanNor contribution: Up to $1,925,000 through the Regional Tariff Response Initiative
Additional contributions: Government of Nunavut - $1,487,850; Fisheries and Oceans Canada - $360,615; the Gjoa Haven Hunters and Trappers Association - $42,400.

Project: Niqihaqut Cut and Wrap Facility
Recipient: Taloyoak Umaruliririgut Association
Location: Taloyoak, Nunavut
Details: This two-year project will construct a modular facility for cutting and wrapping meat. The facility will increase access to fresh, affordable, locally processed food, while building community capacity and supporting hunters and harvesters in the region. Traditional foods will be processed in Taloyoak and services may expand to other communities in the future. 
CanNor contribution: Up to $1,464,736 through the Northern Isolated Community Initiatives Fund
Additional contributions: Government of Nunavut - $783,244; Fisheries and Oceans Canada - $470,935; Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs - $283,019; Indigenous Services Canada $283,019; Taloyoak Umaruliririgut Association - $268,409; Kitikmeot Inuit Association - $25,000.