Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  There are also food banks that those who need food can go to. But again—

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Thank you, Yvonne. That's certainly a question that is important for the MPs of Canada to understand. It's most certainly important if Canada is going to be responsible and not stop right here and now but continue to look at the food insecurity question. There are many questions that even our children and our grandchildren are asking their parents and grandparents.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Most certainly, as Natan Obed said earlier, we depend on different types of programs to help us with subsidies to try to lower the food prices that Labrador Inuit have to pay at the stores. That may help, but it's still very costly to purchase food items at the northern store or at the other store, which is the competition.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. I will start with food security background information and key messages. Food security is defined by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations as follows: “Food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.”

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  The best answer that I usually give to people who ask questions is “Come and see”. As I said, for air transportation and marine service for Nunatsiavut, like other Canadian communities, we want to move forward with the new technologies that are happening for the southern parts of Canada and people who want to come to our region.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Yes, exactly. Minister Mitchell could add to that.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Thank you, Hunter. You're absolutely right. Building a relationship is very important. We are starting to make that progress in building a relationship with the Government of Canada. Talking about what needs we have with a government that cares and is able to help and support those needs, whether it's for Labrador or Nunavut, is very important.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Thank you. This question will go to Minister Mitchell.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  The Nunatsiavut Assembly tabled a bill. We have hired a consultant to look at the energy needs that we have in Nunatsiavut—not just to look at the needs within the communities, but also what would be environmentally friendly. We're looking at getting away from the diesel generation, which Nunatsiavut communities have become dependent on, and to look at new ways that we could harness the natural elements, like wind and solar energy.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Thank you, Yvonne. In simple terms, we as Nunatsiavut are now starting to deal directly with the federal government, and that is, for us, a much better way of dealing with the infrastructure needs that we have in Nunatsiavut. When the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador provided funding for infrastructure or needs for the communities in northern Labrador, we got lost within the general populations of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I'll try to answer it. The Nunatsiavut government is a new government. We are 13 years into self-government, and so we have not been able to apply for funding opportunities to help us with our infrastructure issues. Labrador has been in existence for some time, but the infrastructure that the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador has provided for the northern Labrador communities is outdated and old.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Okay. Thank you very much. On energy security, Madam Chair, our goal as a government with respect to economic development is to create an environment that encourages self-reliance, prosperity, employment and entrepreneurship. We focus on research, short-term training opportunities, business planning and community development.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Thank you, Madam Chair.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Madam Chair and members of the standing committee, thank you for inviting me to present to you today. It is indeed my pleasure to be here to speak on behalf of the Labrador Inuit and the Nunatsiavut Government. We represent about 7,200 Labrador Inuit. The Nunatsiavut Government came into existence on December 1, 2005, with the signing of the Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Nakurmiik. My name is Johannes Lampe and I am the president of Nunatsiavut. I will try to be quick. My chauffeur is waiting, so I'll be quick. I looked back to our ancestry, to how our grandfathers suffered so much that Inuit are said to be strong and resilient and able to adapt to anything.