April 7: last day Nunavik beneficiaries outside the region can register for the April 27 vote

Today, April 7, marks the last day that beneficiaries of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement, who live outside Nunavik, can register to vote in the region’s April 27 referendum on the Nunavik Regional Government.

On April 27, Nunavimmiut vote on whether to accept or reject the final agreement for the creation of the NRG.

Nunavik beneficiaries, 18 and over, who live in Chisasibi and in other locations outside Nunavik, and want to vote in the referendum, should contact Sonia Gosselin Makivik Corp.’s at Montreal office before the end of the day.

Beneficiaries can call Gosselin toll-free at 1-800-361-7052, extension 216, or email her at soniagosselin@live.ca.

Once voters have been registered, Makivik will send them referendum ballots by mail.

These must be returned to Makivik by April 27.

Registered voters can also vote in person April 27 or at any of the three advance polls at Makivik’s office at 1111 Dr. Frederik-Philips Blvd. in St. Laurent, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. polls on April 19, 21 and 22.

Referendum officials have also posted official voter lists in Nunavik communities this week, in advance of next week’s revision period.

Between April 11 and 15, Nunavik residents can visit their local municipal office where the secretary-treasurer or local returning officer will make amendments to local voter lists, if necessary

Voters who have lived in Nunavik for at least one year are eligible to vote in the referendum.

But voters, who weren’t previously on a voting list or those whose contact information has recently changed, should visit their local returning officer before April 15.

Referendum officials are encouraging everyone to vote in order to meet the referendum’s threshold for approval: 50 per cent plus one of all the eligible voters in the region must cast a ballot on April 27.

Ballots cast in favour of the agreement must represent 25 per cent plus one of all eligible voters.

If there are 7,000 names on the voters’ list, 1,751 people must vote in favour of the agreement in order for it to be ratified and answer “yes” to the referendum question, “do you approve the final agreement of the creation of the Nunavik Regional Government?”

Advance polls and special off-poll voting dates will be held:

• April 19, 21 and 22 in all Nunavik communities and at Makivik’s Montreal office;

• April 19, 21 and 22 in southern jails;

• April 18 at the Raglan mine site; and,

• April 25 at Nunavik elders’ homes.

For more information on the referendum in Nunavik, visit the Chief Electoral Officer’s website.