Nunavik communities to share $8 million for infrastructure projects

From left, Quebec’s municipal affairs minister Pierre Moreau, Ungava MLA Jean Boucher and KRG executive council member Mary Pilurtuut announce the distribution of almost $9 million in gas tax funding for Nunavik’s 14 communities Jan. 22. (PHOTO BY ISABELLE DUBOIS)

Communities in Nunavik will share more than $8 million in infrastructure funding over the next five years, the region learned Jan. 22.

The money flows from the federal gas tax fund, coupled with a contribution from the Quebec government.

Under the Canada-Quebec agreement, communities receive a portion of the fund to help pay for local infrastructure projects, including roadwork, airport maintenance and water and waste management facilities.

Quebec’s municipal affairs Pierre Moreau announced the $8,868,610 in funding at a news conference in Kuujjuaq Jan. 22.

The money will be distributed through the Kativik Regional Government, which manages Nunavik’s municipal infrastructure projects.

“Thanks to the new Canada-Quebec gas tax fund agreement, the Kativik Regional Government will have access to a flexible, reliable and predictable source of funding for upgrades to drinking water and wastewater facilities, local road and public transit, in addition to community, culture and sports and leisure projects,” Moreau said in a release.

Under the Canada-Quebec agreement, at least 20 per cent of the fund must go towards public transit infrastructure.

And just over 20 per cent of the fund has to be directed to small communities in Quebec, in order to give Quebec’s rural and isolated communities — like those in Nunavik— a slightly larger share.

The gas tax fund dates to 2004 and 2005, when Paul Martin’s Liberal government developed the idea to help Canadian municipalities cope with a growing infrastructure deficit.

Last year, Nunavut’s municipalities received the first of $163 million in gas tax funds which will be distributed over the next 10 years for water and waste management projects.

You can see a breakdown of funding for each of Nunavik’s communities below.

Gas tax funding distributed to the Nunavik region by community.