Single grandmother cries foul after Nunavut government cuts family's food allowance

A single grandmother in Sanikiluaq, Nunavut, says she barely ate in December after the government of Nunavut slashed her daughter's income assistance.

For two months, the family's food allowance was cut down because of poor school attendance which she says was the result of health issues.

"It was pretty hard in December, how [we] were gonna survive," said Lucy Kittosuk, 46, through sniffles and sighs.

"I barely ate. I ate once a day, as long as my granddaughter eats, or daughter."

Kittosuk said her 23-year-old daughter, Theresa Annie Qittosuk, is attending high school to finish up her diploma as a prerequisite to receiving income assistance.Qittosukis also a single mother and herfour-year-old daughter isn't old enough to attend kindergarten.

The family's fridge was nearlyempty by Jan. 17 except for a carton of eggs, two carrots and a tub of butter. Opened boxes of rice and breadcrumbs accompany a bag of onions in the family's nearly bare pantry, according to photos submitted by Kittosuk.

Kittosuktypicallybabysitsher granddaughter asQittosukattends school, and she saidhealth issues make it difficult for her to work.

According to Kittosuk, both she and her daughter typically receive monthly income assistance at about$600 each for clothing and food allowance, for a total of about $1,200.

However, she says her daughter was denied her food allowance in December andJanuary because of low school attendance.

Missing school to babysit

Kittosuk says she was sick and couldn't babysit her granddaughter, so her daughter had to stay home from school in mid-November to care for the child.

After that,Kittosuk says she flew out to Winnipeg from Nov. 26 to 30 fora medicalappointment, so her daughter had to stay home and babysit.

Qittosukmissed school again at thebeginning of December becauseKittosukwas still ill, she said.

Daycare services are available in Sanikiluaq, but Kittosuk says her granddaughter didn't want to go back because she was afraid of another child.

Kittosuk said her daughter was given $100 only a portion of her allowance in December and the same in January after contactingthe department.

Nunavut's food prices are extremely high and accessibility to fresh foods lags far behind the rest of Canada. One in four people are food-insecure in the territory.

• Food in Nunavut still costs up to 3 times national average

No food allowance for missed school, says government

It's a government policy that those who receive income assistance have to be involved in the "Productive Choice program," where the recipient must choosebetween school, employment, training,harvesting, volunteering or receiving counselling.

The recipient must continue with their productive choicefor a minimum of 20 hours a weekor 80 per centattendance atschoolin order to receive income assistance. Those olderthan 60 or people with disabilitiesare exempt from the requirements.

Nunavut's Department of Family Services declinedan interview. But a spokesperson said in an email that clients who do not meet the 80 per cent attendance requirements for school will be denied the food allowance. However, theywill stillreceive clothing and other benefits for rent and utilities.

[The] school attendance policy needs to be changed, especially when we need something to eat.- Lucy Kittosuk

When asked if the government considers medical reasons, the spokesperson saidmedical and childcare reasons are taken into consideration "when substantiated," when calculating someone's income assistance.

The government did not respond to Qittosuk's case specifically, citing confidentiality.

Kittosuk said the family had to get help from relatives and community members to eat in December.

Government shouldn't leave families 'left alone': MLA

"I have been crying uncontrollably," said Kittosuk in Inuktitut, with a sigh. She said relying on a few hundred dollars a month wasn't sustainable for her family of three.

"This 80 per cent school attendance policy needs to be changed, especially when we need something to eat."

Kittosuk said she feels angry.

After raising concerns to the income assistance department, she reached out to her local MLA, AllanRumbolt.

Rumboltsaid he sent an email to the Minister of Family Services in January on the family's behalf.

But Rumbolt said he stillhasn't received a response.Kittosuk says she, too, has yet to receivea response from the government.

"You can understand the part where you could encourage them to stay in school [via the Productive Choice program]," said Rumbolt.

"But at the same time, if they fall behind for issues beyond their control, we shouldn't be leaving them left alone either."

Kittosuk said she's continuing to encourage her daughter not to quit school.

Have a story to share with CBC North? Reachnorthinvestigates@cbc.ca

More Nunavut News:

• Centennial Flame upgrade project cost taxpayers $845,000
• Igloolik mom worries as mould problem persists in public housing unit
• Mysterious 'pants' arch baffles internet, geologists and Nunavut tourism office
• Family didn't know Nunavut man was flown to Iqaluit for mental health treatment
• Community saves Pangnirtung daycare from $120K of CRA debt