The MHA for the North Coast of Labrador is calling on government to address the skyrocketing cost of food, as it is affecting the well-being of North Coast residents.

Torngat Mountains MHA Lela Evans points to the recent update to the NL Nutritious Food Basket survey showing that the cost of food on the north coast rose 18.5 per cent from 2021 to 2022, bringing the average food cost to $467 dollars per week for a family of four.

The provincial average was $309 per week.

Evans says food costs have only continued to increase since 2022 and government’s lack of action shows that they are not addressing food insecurity for the marginalized people in her district.

She says the people of her district are worried about being able to afford even the basics, like heat for their homes this winter. People on the north coast pay about $2,000 more than families elsewhere.