Environment Minister Leona Aglukkaq came under fire in the House of Commons Monday over a report that some of her constituents in Nunavut are scavenging for food at a landfill.
But as the opposition hammered her with questions about the report, Aglukkaq remained in her seat, reading a newspaper. She only answered two out of six questions on the issue.
Two weeks ago, APTN aired a documentary which showed some people in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, searching for food at the local dump because they couldn’t afford groceries.
Food in Canada’s North is notoriously expensive, with basic staples, such as milk, being sold for more than double or triple the price than the Canadian average.
The APTN documentary highlighted problems with the federal food-subsidy program, Nutrition North, which is supposed to offset the high cost of food in remote communities. Local leaders, including Rankin Inlet Deputy Mayor Sam Tutanuak, told the network they were fed up with Ottawa’s failings to address the issue.
After the documentary aired, there were also reports that Aglukkaq, who represents Nunavut, was considering legal action against the Rankin Inlet leaders over their comments.
NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair and NDP MP Romeo Saganash slammed Aglukkaq during question period Monday, but Aboriginal Affairs Minister Bernard Valcourt ended up answering most of the questions directed at the environment minister. Meanwhile, Aglukkaq read the newspaper.
When Liberal MP Carolyn Bennett accused Aglukkaq of “savagely” attacking Rankin Inlet’s deputy mayor over his remarks instead of acknowledging the food problem in the community, Aglukkaq stood up in the House and replied: “Those allegations are completely false.
“If that member has any evidence of that, I would encourage her to produce that evidence so that I can deal with it in the House. But, they are absolutely false.”
Minister Aglukkaq issued the following statement on November 28, 2014 in response to the allegations:
“The allegations made against me by the Deputy Mayor of Rankin Inlet in an article published by the Aboriginal People’s Television Network are completely false and must be corrected.
“I was troubled when I heard recent reports about families in Rankin Inlet struggling to find food, so I followed up with my constituents to address these concerns.
“I also contacted the Senior Administrative Officer in Rankin Inlet to learn more about these concerning reports. At no time, did I speak with the Deputy Mayor during this phone-call conversation. And at no time, did I or my office request an apology from anyone at the Hamlet.
“The Deputy Mayor’s claims about this conversation are completely false. I am currently reviewing all of my legal options.
“As the Member of Parliament for Nunavut, it’s my responsibility to listen to the concerns of my constituents and to act on their behalf.
“That’s what I have done, and that’s what I will continue to do for Nunavummiut.”
