October 17 is the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, a time to re-commit ourselves to addressing the root causes of poverty and creating a more equitable world.

Food insecurity — caused by high food costs, limited access to fresh and affordable produce, and the region's remote location — contributes to poverty in Northern Canada by forcing families to spend a significant portion of their limited income on expensive and scarce food options, leaving less available for other essential needs.

This economic strain makes overall poverty even worse, leading to difficulties in affording housing, healthcare, and education, thereby perpetuating cycles of hardship. Indigenous communities are disproportionally affected, leading to health disparities and social challenges.

The PSAC Social Justice Fund (SJF) has been pivotal in addressing this issue by supporting several food security programs across the three territories.

One of the largest contributions to the SJF comes from a combination of a collective bargaining agreement and voluntary donations by members of the Union of Northern Workers, who work for the Government of the Northwest Territories. A 2021 agreement with the territorial government ensures that the government matches these contributions, with half going to the SJF and the other half to the United Way NWT for local community initiatives. In 2024, over $70,000 was allocated to the territory, primarily for food security initiatives.

In Nunavut, the SJF has been actively engaged in poverty alleviation since a 2016 collective agreement with the Government of Nunavut introduced a contribution of one cent per hour worked by Nunavut Employees Union members. The SJF uses these funds to address acute poverty, food insecurity, and the prevention of youth suicide and domestic violence. In 2024, the SJF supported seven local initiatives in Nunavut, including women’s crisis centres and food security programs across different regions, such as food preparation courses for women in Coral Harbour and shelters for women in Rankin Inlet.

In the Yukon, the SJF helps fund and is an active partner in the Yukon Food Security Network, a multi-agency partnership supporting community-led food security and food sovereignty initiatives in the Yukon.

In addition to these long-term initiatives, the SJF responded to a recent crisis in Whale Cove, Nunavut. In August 2024, the community’s only grocery store burned down, leaving 500 residents without access to essentials like food and fuel. The SJF provided $10,000 for emergency food supplies, meanwhile the community centre was retrofitted as a temporary store while awaiting future sealift deliveries.

These initiatives all highlight the critical role of the SJF in mitigating the effects of poverty in the territories, with a focus on food security and emergency support, ensuring that vulnerable communities have the resources they need to thrive.

Find out more about how the SJF helps fight poverty to build a more just, equitable society in Canada and around the world.