THE $200 TURKEY

The bulk of supplies come to remote Arctic stores (and individuals who can afford it) by barge, once per year via the annual sealift. Otherwise, people must shop at the local store and pay even more exorbitant prices. In between the annual sealifts, stores fly in perishables and other items, which substantially increases their already-high prices. Often, stores have empty shelves and items that are past their expiry dates.

Northerners able to afford it can also get supplies directly from southern distributors via a federal government program intended to reduce the cost of shipping to remote hamlets. The now-defunct Food Mail program subsidized shippers so that shipping costs to the individual consumer could be lower. While there were complaints and problems with Food Mail, many people believe it was better than what the federal government replaced it with. The newly-implemented Nutrition North program subsidizes retailers, who are expected to negotiate lower shipping costs and pass savings on to consumers. The reported results are generally higher prices overall, and many suppliers refusing to participate due to the administrative requirements of the program. The cruel irony (besides consumers having to rely on retailers to pass along their savings) is that it is believed this ill-conceived federal government program rendered our beleaguered Arctic Canadians even worse off than they were.

Here is a list of recent prices in our Arctic. Please note that prices can vary by locale and season. The prices shown are from published articles and photos, and anecdotal reports.

Gas – to $2.00/litre

Turkey, frozen, 11kg (24lbs): $200 (later reduced to $90 due to adverse publicity)
Breaded Chicken: $77/bag
Lean Cuisine, single serve: $7.49
Frozen Pizza: $17.89
Vienna Sausages, small tin: $2.99

Milk, 2L & 4L: to $15
Yogurt, single-serve cup: $1.69
Butter: $26.96
Margarine, small tub: $27
Ice Cream, 1.66L: $13.69
Ice Cream, 4L tub: $21.95
Eggs, 1-dozen: $4.00+

Cranberry Cocktail, 1.89L: $38
Sunny Delight, orange, 1.89L: $25.29
Minute Maid Juice, cans, 6-pack: $37.89
Fruitopia, can, 355ml: $5.99
Fruitopia, 1.89L: $13.29
Tropicana Orange, 1.89L: $8.49
Orange Mango Juice, 1.89L: $13.99

Apples, small: $12/bag
Potatoes, 5lb bag: $9.50
Watermelon: $30
Red Peppers: $12.69
Eggplant: $26.19
Asparagus: $14.49
Pineapple, whole: $11.29 - $25.00
Fruit Salad, 1.6L tub: $17.69
Blueberries, fresh, 1-pint: $7.49
Fruit Cocktail, tin, in water: $4.95

Cheese Whiz: $29
Mayonnaise, 750ml: $9.29
Bread: $5.19+
Olive Oil: $24.59
Doritos, 250gr: $7.39
Granola Bars, small box: $8.25
Cheerios Honey/Nut cereal, 1.3kg: $19.99
Lays Potato Chips, 250gr: $6.69
Minute Rice, 700gr box: $8.15
Spaghetti, small bag: $13

Pop, can, single: $2.50 - $5.00
Pop, can, 12-pack: $27 - $60
Beer, can, 24-pack: $200 (where permitted)

Listerine, 946ml: $17.99
Toilet Paper, 36-roll pack: $47.99
Disposable diapers: $79.99
Tide laundry detergent, liquid, 1.47L: $24.69
Tide laundry detergent, powder, 3.8L: $36.99
Grocery bags, plastic: 25¢ each

With prices like these - where pop is often cheaper than milk - it’s no surprise that cash-strapped Inuit forego healthy food in favour of lower cost, less nutritional substitutes that lead to serious health problems.

Please help us to help our Arctic Canadians. Care enough to become part of the solution - donate, volunteer, something or somehow – we’d love to hear from you!

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If not now - when? If not us - who?

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