Gas prices, security cameras and a possible university campus for Nunavik

Low gas prices, a Nunavik campus for Inuit Nunangat University, and the possible end to seasonal time changes are among updates leaders gave during the Nunavik all-organizations meeting in Montreal last week.

Makivvik president Pita Aatami says he hopes Kuujjuaq or Puvirnituq will host a campus for the Inuit Nunangat University. (Photo by Cedric Gallant, special to Nunatsiaq News)

The meeting ran from April 14 to 16, allowing leaders to discuss regional issues ranging from youth protection to bootlegging and drug trafficking.

Nunavik sees reduction in gas prices 

The price of fuel dropped 10 cents per litre across the country on Monday, and those savings are being passed to Nunavik’s pumps.

Prime Minister Mark Carney announced last week his government is suspending the federal excise tax on gasoline until Sept. 7. It’s a measure to combat volatile prices caused by Israel and United States’ war on Iran.

While Makivvik Corp. treasurer George Berthe announced April 16 the measure could leave Nunavik with “the lowest price for gasoline in all of Canada” for a short period, it appears as though this was not the case as of Tuesday morning.

The price of fuel is set across the region’s 14 communities, with Inuit beneficiaries receiving a discount of 78 cents per litre.

The price at the pump at Kuujjuaq’s Northern store was $2.749 per litre Tuesday, or $1.969 for Inuit beneficiaries. The pump price in Halifax Monday morning, by comparison, was $1.695 per litre. The price of gas is regulated in Nova Scotia by the provincial energy board.

A Nunavik campus for Inuit Nunangat University

Puvirnituq or Kuujjuaq could be home to a campus as part of Inuit Nunangat University, said Pita Aatami, president of Makivvik Corp., the legal representative for Inuit in Nunavik.

The Inuit-led university has been in the works for years, spearheaded by Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami.

The national Inuit organization announced in February the university’s main campus would be in Arviat, with a number of satellite campuses across the Canadian Arctic.

The plan is for the university to open in 2030. Its estimated cost ranges between $160 million to $200 million.

Implementation of security cameras 

Makivvik is looking to implement security cameras throughout Nunavik.

The cameras are needed due to “too many issues in the communities,” said Aatami.

Without getting into detail, he referenced a “serious incident” recently in Kuujjuaq that was solved with the help of video surveillance footage.

“It could be helpful to have security cameras placed in strategic places,” he said.

Representatives from Makivvik have written letters to all of Nunavik’s mayors about the potential change, but not all local leaders have responded yet, said Aatami.

Updates on mining development

Makivvik is keeping its moratorium on mining.

Imposed in 2023, the moratorium is meant to ensure exploration or mining activities in the region are preceded by negotiations and agreements with impacted communities.

“We are not looking to have a mine developed in our region,” Aatami said during an update on April 16.

“What we are looking to learn instead is if there are opportunities where it would minimally impact our environment but benefit the closest communities.”

The issue made national news earlier this month with a CBC Fifth Estate investigation revealing a rare earth mineral exploration project in Nunavik is owned by people with ties to U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration.

Makivvik released a statement in response, saying the project wouldn’t “proceed without the full involvement of Makivvik, the completion of environmental and social processes, and the clear support of Kangiqsuallujjuaq.”

Time change in Nunavik 

Most people in Nunavik want to do away with seasonal time changes.

Aatami pointed to the results of a January 2025 survey where Makivvik asked Nunavimmiut how they feel about the issue.

Aatami did not say whether respondents wanted to stick with daylight savings, which would keep the evenings brighter, or standard time, which would come with earlier sunrises.

“The only thing,” he said, “Is that we don’t want to follow the time zone change anymore.”

He did say Makivvik is collaborating with Berkeley University in California investigating potential health consequences related to the time change.

Aatami added that Makivvik, the Kativik Regional Government and the regional school board, Kativik Ilisarniliriniq, will have to come to an agreement and details are still being ironed out.

Official correspondence on the subject is coming, Aatami said.