The Right to Food in Canada’s North: Food Security and Sustainability in Yukon Territory

Abstract

This paper analyses the factors affecting food security in Yukon Territory. It was written for the Yukon Field School on Food Security offered at the University of Guelph in 2019. It utilizes Olivier De Schutter’s Right to Food Framework to examine elements of food availability, accessibility, and adequacy. Different perspectives from various stakeholder participants in the field school were gathered during guest lectures and on site visits and were cross-referenced with peer-reviewed sources to formulate conclusions on the right to food in Canada’s North. These perspectives suggest that the northern food supply is threatened by the effect of climate change on country food availability, the feasibility of local agriculture, and the provision of imported food. Additionally, the social barriers to country food and local food access in the context of high poverty rates also contribute to food insecurity. The implications of insufficient food availability and accessibility culminate in food inadequacy with notable consequences for physical, mental, and cultural health. Overall, a move towards a locally-sourced diet will likely play a key role in achieving sustainable food security in the north.