Changes to Nunavik Cost-of-Living Measures
Kuujjuaq, Québec, March 1, 2013 – Taking into account that Québec-government funding no longer covers the costs generated by the six cost-of-living reduction measures delivered in Nunavik, the Makivik Corporation and the Kativik Regional Government (KRG) have been forced to make changes to some of the measures. These changes are necessary to ensure that demand does not outpace available funding.
The popularity of Nunavik’s cost-of-living reduction measures has grown steadily since they were introduced in 2007. In 2013–2014, Québec-government funding for the measures will be $5 million. Makivik and the KRG are continuing to make every effort to find a long-term solution to the high cost of living in Nunavik.
Under the Airfare Reduction Program, reimbursements will be reduced from 50 to 30% per ticket per person, up to a maximum of $1050 annually for compassionate and regular travel combined. As well under the Transportation Subsidy Program, subsidies for vehicles and equipment will be cancelled.
In response to the recent elimination of the Food Coupon Program (a separately funded regional cost-of-living initiative), Makivik and the KRG also decided to increase payments under the Elders Assistance measure from $500 to $750 annually, but to restrict eligibility to elders who are beneficiaries of the James Bay and Northern Québec Agreement. For their part, the Food Program, the Gasoline Subsidy Program, the Transportation Subsidy Program for household furniture and appliances, and Support for Inuit Harvesting Activities will remain unchanged.
It is also important to note that most major regional organizations recently accepted to begin reimbursing to the Gasoline Subsidy Program the 21¢-per-litre savings they receive for their gasoline consumption in the communities. This commitment will help make it possible to maintain the current gasoline subsidy received by individual Nunavimmiut at the pumps at least until August 31, 2013.
More information on Nunavik’s six cost-of-living measures is available at http://www.krg.ca/en/cost-of-living-program. All changes will become effective on April 1, 2013.
The KRG is a non-ethnic public organization created in 1978, under the James Bay and Northern Québec Agreement. The organization has jurisdiction over nearly the entire territory of Québec north of the 55th parallel in areas such as municipal matters, transportation, the environment, policing, employment, labour training, income security, childcare services, renewable resources, land-use planning, civil security and economic development.
The Makivik Corporation is a not‐for‐profit corporation created pursuant to the James Bay and Northern Québec Agreement (1975) and mandated to represent the social, political and economic interests and well-being of Nunavik Inuit. Makivik promotes the preservation of Inuit culture and language as well as the health, welfare, relief of poverty and education of
Inuit in Nunavik communities. Makivik is a signatory of the Nunavik Inuit Land Claims Agreement (2008).
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Information:
Caroline D’Astous
Communications Officer
Kativik Regional Government
Tel. 819-964-2961, ext. 2384
Kitty Gordon
Communications Agent
Makivik Corporation
Tel. 514-745-8880, ext. 215
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