Recent reports of scurvy cases in northern Saskatchewan has brought food security concerns in the north to the forefront of public discourse.
The reports conducted by a doctor, at the behest of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band, found, in 50 patients studied, over half had a Vitamin C deficiency.
On Tuesday morning, the Saskatchewan NDP, held a press conference in Saskatoon to speak on the matter. Speaking at the conference was MLA elect for the Cumberland constituency Jordan McPhail who was also recently named shadow minister of northern affairs.
“We shouldn’t have to be talking about scurvy in 2024, in Saskatchewan of all places,” McPhail said.
The newly elected MLA called on the SaskParty government to suspend the provincial fuel tax and remove the PST from groceries to give northerners relief.
“Fuel is a huge factor and the government can provide some much needed relief today by suspending the provincial gas tax and removing the PST from groceries,” said McPhail. “We shouldn’t be taxing groceries in the first place. Food isn’t a luxury.”
McPhail says many northerners even try to forego the grocery store by exercising their treaty rights to sustenance. However, he says they must use vehicles, quads, or boats to exercise this right.
“The fuel you need to put in your vehicle has that gas tax on it and the province has the option to suspend the gas tax. Provide the relief to folks across northern Saskatchewan, so they can put food on the table.”
At the press conference was displayed this week’s grocery prices from Stony Rapids that saw a 4 litre jug of milk priced at $18.08 and grapes at $19.99.
“That’s a huge challenge to making sure kids and adults alike are getting a well-balanced diet,” said McPhail.
Stony Rapids mayor Daniel Powder was scheduled to be at the press conference to address how rising prices has affected his community. However, the winter storm that arrived on Tuesday restricted him from attending.
MBC News has reached out to the SaskParty government for comment, but has not yet heard back.
(TOP PHOTO – Cumberland MLA elect Jordan McPhail speaks at a press conference at an NDP office in Saskatoon. Photo by Joel Willick.)