IQALUIT, Nunavut – Inuit in Nunavut are organizing a widespread protest Saturday to draw attention to shocking food prices that many say are adding to high levels of hunger in the territory.
Protesters are expected to rally outside grocery stores in communities across Nunavut to draw attention to the difficulty of feeding a family when a small bag of apples can cost $15.
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It’s an unprecedented display of concern and frustration in the territory.
A Facebook group called “Feeding My Family” is being used to co-ordinate the protest, and has more than 10,000 members – over a third of Nunavut’s entire population. The group includes photos of groceries with price listings, such as a 500 millilitre jar of strawberry jam for $16.89, or a 24-pack of 500 ml water bottles for $104.99.
A rally will also be held in Ottawa.
The protest comes after the federal government dismissed concerns from a United Nations representative about food insecurity in Canada’s North.
A McGill University survey found two-thirds of Inuit parents said there were times when they ran out of food for their families and couldn’t afford more.
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