MLA for Quttiktuq Introduces Proposed Donation of Food Act

IQALUIT, Nunavut (February 26, 2013) - Quttiktuq MLA Ron Elliott today introduced Bill 46, the proposed Donation of Food Act.

“The proposed Donation of Food Act provides that a person who donates food or who distributes donated food is not liable for disease, injury, death or other harm resulting from the consumption of that food unless the person intended to harm the recipient or acted recklessly in donating or distributing the food. Similar provisions will apply to the directors, officers, agents, employees and volunteers of corporations and organizations involved in the donation or distribution of food,” said Mr. Elliott.

All other Canadian provinces and territories have similar legislation.

“I was very pleased that support for my Private Member’s Bill was one of the formal priorities for action adopted at the recent Nunavut Food Security Symposium,” said Mr. Elliott. “I have also tabled copies of the letters that of support that I have received from a number of stakeholders, including Feeding My Family Nunavut, the Skills Nunavut/Skills Canada Cooking Club, the Qayuqtuvik Society, Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, the Frobisher Inn, the North West Company and Arctic Co-operatives Limited.”

Copies of Bill 46 are available on the Legislative Assembly’s website at: www.assembly.nu.ca.

“I look forward to the unanimous support of the House in its consideration of this important Bill, which will encourage the donation of food to our territory’s most vulnerable residents,” said Mr. Elliott.