Provincial government shares B.C. and Yukon partner on strategies to feed the North

VICTORIA, B.C. – The Provincial government shares, two governments will connect to build food security and increase the supply and production of local food in the Yukon and northern B.C.

“Working together is key to life in Canada’s north, and the partnership between farmers, Indigenous communities, experts and governments will help increase local food production and economic activity,” said Lana Popham, B.C.’s Minister of Agriculture. “Our co-operative efforts will encourage greater involvement and awareness of local food, and help more people in Yukon and northern B.C. enjoy the flavours and benefits of products from their communities.”

Ranj Pillai, Minister Responsible for Yukon Agriculture, said, “Yukon and British Columbia share common challenges and opportunities in our efforts to encourage local food production in northern communities. The new memorandum of understanding emphasizes that by working together and sharing expertise, we can better promote food security, promote agricultural production, develop sustainably and grow market opportunities for northern farmers and ranchers.”

According to the governments, they will partner with the agricultural sector, as well as academic and community leaders, to develop and share expertise specific to growing in the northern latitude.

Topics of discussion will include limitations in temperature and duration of seasons, offset by long summer days, as well as supporting business relationships amongst different farmers, food processors and agriculture service suppliers in both areas.

Targets include:

The governments also share they are committed to supporting a larger role for Indigenous peoples in northern agriculture and food production by working with Indigenous communities to:

The strategies are described in further detail in a memorandum of understanding signed by Popham and Pillai.