Thank you so much.
It's great to be here again. It seems like I was just here last week.
I'm pleased to be here today to discuss how Crown‑Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada is working with indigenous and northern partners to develop the northern economy, build housing and infrastructure, improve food security and strengthen northern communities.
The 2024-25 main estimates reflect an increase of $1.1 billion for Northern Affairs.
One of the most pressing issues in the north is food security, and the main estimates contain $133 million for nutrition north Canada. We are helping northerners access affordable, healthy food with new budget 2024 investments of $23.2 million for the grocery subsidy and $101.1 million, over three years, for the harvesters support grant, the community food programs fund and food security research. Nutrition north subsidizes food, household items like diapers and soap, and personal hygiene items. The list of subsidized items relies on direct input from people who live in the north. The harvesters support grant was co-developed with indigenous and northern partners and it supports traditional hunting, harvesting and food sharing. In its first year alone, the grant supported 15,000 harvesters, 410 hunts and 717 food-sharing initiatives. Nutrition north alone will not solve food insecurity, but it's a key piece of a long-term strategy to address factors that affect food security, such as income, employment and access to distributors. Through the nutrition north food security research grant, launched in 2022, we are also supporting indigenous-led research projects that will help improve the program.
Our government recognizes the challenges associated with northern housing. That's why we're making historic investments to build housing and address infrastructure gaps. Budget 2024 invests an additional $918 million in indigenous housing and infrastructure. Investments such as these will allow territorial and indigenous governments to improve the overall housing conditions of the north.
Another critical challenge in the north is the dramatic impact of climate change, with the north warming roughly three times faster than the global average. The main estimates contain $67 million for the climate change adaptation and clean energy program, which will support projects in northern and Arctic communities. The federal government is working with communities to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change. For instance, the climate change preparedness in the north program is working to develop northern-led solutions to coastal erosion, permafrost degradation and increased floods and wildfires.
I highlight as well that our department is working to reduce the risk to human and environmental health associated with contaminated sites in the north. The main estimates allocate $713 million to the northern contaminated sites program to manage a portfolio of contaminated sites in Northwest Territories, Yukon and Nunavut. This program demonstrates the department's commitment to self-determination and economic reconciliation through indigenous partners' participation in project governance and the creation of socio-economic benefits.
The main estimates contain $26.2 million for implementing the Nunavut Lands and Resources Devolution Agreement. This agreement represents the largest land transfer in Canadian history, a historic step forward in self-determination for Nunavummiut. Our investments are grounded in the inclusive engagement that took place under the Arctic and northern policy framework, which was co-developed with indigenous and northern partners to reflect their needs and priorities. The framework guides our activities and investments to 2030 and beyond, and aligns our national and international objectives with the priorities of northerners.
The 2024-25 main estimates also strengthen our efforts to defend Canada's sovereignty as we accelerate progress on this and other fronts for the benefit of northern residents, Arctic residents and everyone else in Canada.
Qujannamiik. Marsi. Merci.
It's great to be here again.
Thank you.