During a Nunavut election debate on 2025-04-25, candidates criticized the Nutrition North Canada program for potentially channeling subsidies to for‐profit retailers, such as the Northwest Company, rather than directly supporting local communities facing food insecurity.

An investigation by APTN and CBC found that only 67% of every dollar in the Nutrition North Canada program subsidy is reaching consumers in remote northern communities, prompting concerns about government oversight and supply chain practices. Ministers acknowledged the need for clearer data to ensure full pass-through, which is critical for alleviating food insecurity among Indigenous families.

A study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal indicates that food insecurity in Nunavut increased following the introduction of Nutrition North Canada. The program’s market-driven strategy, which shifted subsidies to southern suppliers and northern retailers, appears to have benefited more affluent households while neglecting the needs of vulnerable populations, thereby worsening food access in the region.