Quarterly Update - Kativik Regional Government

Quarterly Update
Keeping Nunavimmiut up to date on the work of the Kativik Regional Government
KRG Council Demands Action on Justice
The KRG and Makivik resolutions make it clear that concrete action is
needed urgently to bolster the confidence of Nunavimmiut in the administration of justice and in accordance with the rights of Nunavik Inuit under
the James Bay and Northern Québec Agreement (JBNQA) as well as with
the fundamental issues regarding justice and social regulation identified
in the Parnasimautik Consultation Report. The KRG and Makivik are
seeking a meeting with the Québec ministers of public security, justice and
Native affairs in order to follow up on this matter.
On May 27, the KRG Council adopted Resolution No. 2015–47 urging the
Québec government to finally fulfil its obligations regarding the administration of justice and related services in Nunavik. The board of directors
of the Makivik Corporation adopted a resolution on the same topic at
their June meeting. The administration of justice and related services has
been the subject of recommendations by various committees, task forces
and working groups for over four decades. However, the expected results
have never been achieved.
Summer Construction Work Itinerant Court Presentation
Section 20 of the JBNQA provides the framework for the itinerant court in
the communities. It recognizes that residents must receive the same level
of protection and support for justice services despite the region’s
geographical constraints, and moreover guarantees Nunavik Inuit the
right to have their customs, usages and ways of life taken into account.
At the May sitting of the KRG Council, a presentation on the itinerant court
was given by representatives of the Ministère de la Justice du Québec
(MJQ). The court calendar was reviewed and a detailed explanation was
given on court postponements. Most postponements are tied to poor
weather and air travel considerations. It was also noted that the court
does not travel to a few communities either because not enough cases
are entered in the local court docket and it is easier to move witnesses
and defendants to another community, or suitable court premises are
not available.
Swimming pool construction is planned in Puvirnituq this year. Shown: Pool
constructed in Kangiqsualujjuaq in 2010.
The KRG Municipal Public Works Department is implementing a number of
important community projects this summer under the Isurruutiit Program
for municipal infrastructure improvements and several other programs.
Major work includes road paving in Salluit, community centre renovations
in Inukjuak, youth house construction in Kangirsuk and Akulivik, as well
as family house renovations in Kangiqsualujjuaq. Mortuary installation will
be undertaken in seven communities, landfill construction will take place
in Kangirsuk and Inukjuak, and wastewater lagoon construction will be
carried out in Kangiqsujuaq and Puvirnituq.
KRG Councillors’ reactions to the MJQ presentation were strong. They in
particular stressed that more effort must be made to avoid postponements and that Nunavimmiut must have better access to information on
justice and the itinerant court.
MJQ civil servants Josée Trottier and Jacques Prégent presented an overview of the
itinerant court on the Hudson and Ungava coasts.
The May sitting of the KRG Council was held in Inukjuak.
1
July 2015
Services in the Communities
2015 Housing Construction
2015 Housing Survey
Community
1 bdrm
2 bdrm
4 bdrm
Kangiqsujuaq
16
-
2
Kangirsuk
8
-
8
Kuujjuaq
28
-
14
Kuujjuarapik
20
-
-
Puvirnituq
24
-
10
Quaqtaq
8
2
-
Total Units
Between January and April 2015, the KMHB collected information on 11,000
Nunavimmiut living in social housing. The survey determined that demand for
social housing has grown to 1,030 units, up from 899 units in 2013. These
results underscore the housing crisis that continues to afflict the region.
Social Housing and Arrears
The Kativik Municipal Housing Bureau (KMHB) implements a number of
programs for social housing tenants. These include the Pivallianiq Program to encourage tenant home maintenance and a new preventive maintenance program. They are intended to promote tenant pride in their
homes and increase the longevity of the region’s social housing stock.
Annual major social housing renovations paid for by the Société
d’habitation du Québec (housing) have been scaled back in 2015 due to
funding cuts; renovations are being carried out in Akulivik, Inukjuak,
Kangiqsualujjuaq and Puvirnituq. Finally, social housing rent arrears grew
again in Nunavik in 2014, breaking a four-year downwards trend.
140
2016 Housing Construction
At its May sitting, the KRG Council approved allocations for the 2016
construction season. A total of 60 two-bedroom units will be constructed
with Plan Nord funding originally intended for private and cooperative
housing. Specifically, 4 units will be constructed in Ivujivik; 14 units in
Kangiqsujuaq; 12 units in Kuujjuaq; 16 units in Salluit; 4 units in Tasiujaq;
and 10 units in Umiujaq. The KRG, the Makivik Corporation and the KMHB
are also continuing to negotiate with the governments of Canada and
Québec for further funding for housing construction through the renewal
of the interim JBNQA housing agreement.
Fire Statistic Highlights
• Almost half of all fires occurred in dwellings in 2014.
• The three main probable causes of fires were children playing with a fire
source, human error, and suspicious causes (which have been transferred to police for investigation).
• The value of fire-related losses jumped across the region due in particular to the school fire in Aupaluk in early 2014.
Fire Fighter Training Update
An important focus under the Nunavik Fire Safety Cover Plan is the
delivery of qualified fire fighter training. There are 190 volunteer fire
fighters active in the communities.
Since 2012, 50 Nunavimmiut have successfully completed training
approved by the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress.
In 2015, the KRG Civil Security Section is focused on delivering training in
those communities with no certified fire fighters, specifically Akulivik,
Aupaluk, Kangiqsualujjuaq and Tasiujaq. Fire fighter certification involves
three main stages: in-community training and a theoretical exam delivered
by regional instructors; six days of training and a practical exam in
Blainville; and hazardous material operations training and a final examination delivered in Nunavik.
Number of fires that have occurred annually in Nunavik communities between 2010
and 2014.
Inuit Support Program Evaluation
Preliminary findings of a KRG evaluation of the Inuit Hunting, Fishing and
Trapping Support Program were released in May. Proposals include the
development of a regional strategy to recognize and support hunting as a
viable economic way of life without disrupting traditional county-food
sharing networks, as well as clearer guidelines for different JBNQA user
categories (i.e. elders, the disadvantaged, intensive harvesters and other
individuals). A final report is expected to be ready in the fall.
Interviews have been conducted in a few communities, and analysis has been
carried out on similar programs for Nunavummiut, Cree and Naskapi. Funding for the Inuit Support Program is provided by the Québec government
based on the provisions of Section 29 of the JBNQA.
Nunavik volunteer fire fighters at practical training and testing in Blainville in 2012.
2
July 2015
Spotlight on the KRG
KRG Activities in Inukjuak
Regional and Local
Development Department
In Inukjuak, which has a population of over 1600, the KRG employs more
than 20 staff to help deliver the organization’s essential public programs
and services. These employees work for the KRG sustainable employment,
legal, regional and local development, transportation, renewable
resources, and administration departments, as well as the Kativik Regional
Police Force. For their part, the KRG’s Youth Employment Services
Nunavik operates an office in the community and Tamaani Internet
maintains two agent positions.
The KRG municipal public works, recreation, and finance, treasury and
human resources departments also deliver services directly in Inukjuak,
but do not have staff based in the community. The KRG Childcare Section
delivers technical assistance to the two childcare centres which, in turn,
employ 22 educators and 11 support staff. Funding is also provided by the
KRG for the Ivirtivik Centre in Inukjuak to develop employability skills and
promote workforce integration.
The Department provides an essential link between the economic development strategies of the provincial and federal governments and the
region’s businesses and social economy enterprises. Its activities fall
under three main sectors: regional development, local development and
business development.
In particular, the Department administers Makigiarutiit funding to
promote economic development, local employment and community
development projects. It also works closely with elders, women’s groups,
youth, and the Avataq Cultural Institute. The Regional and Local Development Department consists of eight full-time positions.
Weekend in the Park
KRG Open House: Quaqtaq
This summer, the weekend in the parks pilot project is being carried out at the Kuururjuaq, Tursujuq and Pingualuit national parks. Shown: Kuururjuaq in July.
Four Decades of Public Service
Mayor of Puvirnituq, KRG councillor and Executive Committee member Aisara Kenuajuak passed away on April 12. “I am thankful to
Aisara for sharing his knowledge and wisdom over many years to guide
us through today’s challenges. He made us stronger, made us proud of
who we are and of what we can achieve together,” eulogized KRG
Chairperson Maggie Emudluk. First elected mayor of Puvirnituq
in 1973, Aisara dedicated his life to a journey of public service, working relentlessly for the welfare of all Nunavimmiut.
Open house activities were organized in Quaqtaq in April. KRG open houses in the communities encourage residents of all ages and especially youth to visit KRG workplaces to
learn about the requirements and types of training needed to work for the KRG. Openhouse activities also serve to recognize KRG staff for their essential work.
Appointments
At its May sitting, the KRG Council appointed Charlie Nowkawalk to sit as
its representative on the Kativik Municipal Housing Bureau. Eli Aullaluk
and Charlie Arngak were chosen to act as the Council’s new Speaker and
Deputy Speaker, respectively.
Regarding senior staff, Isabelle Parizeau was re-appointed as Director
General and Philémon Boileau was appointed Director of the Legal, SocioJudicial and Municipal Management Department. A resolution was also
adopted recommending the appointment of Michel Martin as Chief of the
Kativik Regional Police Force; he was sworn into the position in June by
the Minister of Public Security in accordance with the Kativik Act. Finally,
during the KRG Council’s April sitting, Markusi Qissiq was appointed
Director of the Renewable Resources, Environment, Lands and Parks
Department starting in July.
3
July 2015
Global Mining Trends and
Impacts on Nunavik
As demand for metals in global markets has cooled over the last two years,
metal prices have declined, along with mineral exploration activity in
Nuna­vik. Challenges for the financing of regional projects are site remoteness, high operating costs and the short work season. Recent miningrelated developments in Nunavik include the release of the Nunavik Inuit
Mining Policy by the Makivik Corporation and the ongoing activities of a
special working group in Aupaluk. The Nunavik Mineral Exploration Fund
organized the Kuujjuaq Mining Workshop in April and continues to deliver
training and support for Inuit prospectors.
Hydrocarbon Spill Management
Hydrocarbons include heating oil, gasoline, lubricants and hydraulic
liquids. They are found everywhere in the communities. Hydrocarbon spills
can be caused by accidents or inadequate supervision. When spills occur, it
is important to act rapidly to stop the spill in order to reduce its impacts and
protect human health, water sources, the environment and wildlife.
Spill management training was delivered by
the KRG to municipal employees across the
region in 2009 and, since 2011, guides
have been distributed concerning spill
response and site remediation. The KRG
intends to deliver refresher training to the
northern villages through the summer
and fall of this year, as well as to improve
awareness on this issue among regional
organizations and the general public.
Information on hydrocarbon spill mana­gement issues may be obtained from the
Environment Section of the KRG Renewable
Resources, Environment, Lands and Parks
Department.
New Items: Food and Other
Essentials Program
Clothing, footwear, camp fuel and snowmobile oil have recently been
added to the list of eligible items under the Food and Other Essentials
Program. Discounts of 30% apply to these new items. The Program provides discounts of between 20 and 40% to consumers in Nunavik for over
1500 commonly purchased food, personal care, household and camping
products. Participating stores under the Program are cooperative stores
and Northern Stores in every community, plus Newviq’vi in Kuujjuaq.
TNQ Coastal Trials
Mineral exploration claims have declined. Active claims in Nunavik as of
March 2014 shown in orange.
Nunavik Parks Orientations
Team Nunavik–Québec (TNQ) coastal trials were organized by the
KRG Recreation Department in April in Quaqtaq and in May in
Inukjuak (shown in photo). The final TNQ regional trials will be
held in Kangiqsualujjuaq in November. The Arctic Winter Games will
take place in Nuuk, Greenland, in 2016.
The KRG is focusing attention on increasing the number of tourists and
Nunavimmiut travelling to the region’s growing park network. Combined
with a dynamic Inuit population, Nunavik parks hold the potential to
become a leading cultural tourism destination. Forecast benefits include
economic spinoffs for the communities and some sustainable local
employment.
To this end, the KRG’s Nunavik Parks section has identified a number of
orientations for the next three years, specifically regarding conservation
and wildlife, culture and identity, tourism and access, as well as community development. These orientations are based on priorities identified by
Nunavimmiut in the Parnasimautik Consultation Report. To learn more
about parks in Nunavik, visit www.nunavikparks.ca.
Kativik Regional Government
P.O. Box 9
Kuujjuaq QC J0M 1C0
819-964-2961
www.krg.ca
Quarterly Update