Nutrition North advisory board chair resigns

The chair of the Nutrition North Advisory Board has stepped down, effective March 1.

Elizabeth Copeland says she's leaving for personal reasons, to focus on other responsibilities with the Nunavut government. She is also the territory’s deputy coroner.

Nutrition North has been the subject of criticism from territorial politicians and local consumers, though some retailers say it has reduced the price of healthy food.

Copeland said she believes it is working, despite the criticism.

"I know it will work better for Northerners," she said.

She added her biggest challenge in the job was "learning the program itself and relaying the message to companies, to retailers, to private people, to private businesses that it can work, that it will work, if we all work together."

Copeland said she gave her notice a couple of months ago.

The Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development is now looking to choose a new chair for the advisory board.