Nunavik’s co-op network reports growing returns

FCNQ executives Aliva Tulugak and Charlie Tukkiapik hand the award for best performance to Inukjuak co-op members Adamie Inukpuk, Louisa Ningiuk and FCNQ president Eli Elijassiapik in Kangirsuk April 4. (PHOTO COURTESY OF THE FCNQ)

Nunavik’s Fédération des co-opératives du Nouveau-Québec, or Ilagiisaq, says it’s enjoyed another successful year with its 14 member cooperatives bringing in total revenues of $96.8 million.

That’s up eight per cent from the previous year, the FNCQ said in an April 17 release.

The FCNQ’s board members and cooperative delegates met at the organization’s annual general meeting in Inukjuak April 13 to April 16.

And out of their profits this year, FCNQ members voted to return a total of $10.5 million to its 14 member cooperatives.

The organization’s subsidiaries had a good year as well, reporting consolidated revenues of $223 million — from divisions providing services to member co-ops, as well as businesses like Nunavik Petro Inc., FCNQ Construction Inc., Taqramut Transport Inc. and Voyages FCNQ Inc.

As part of its general meeting, the FCNQ announced plans to continue its transport subsidy, launched in 2013, which allows member co-ops to apply one per cent of their local tax — while the FCNQ contributes an equal amount — to offset the cost of certain items in the store.

Each cooperative decides how to apply the subsidy locally.

The FCNQ’s executive committee saw some changes last week: Aliva Tulugak of Puvirnituq, who has held the position before, was elected as FCNQ president, while Sarollie Weetaluktuk of Inukjuak was elected vice-president for Hudson Bay.

Charlie Tukkiapik of Quaqtaq was acclaimed as vice-president for Ungava Bay. Bobby Baron of Kangiqsualujjuaq was also elected to the executive committee, while Alacie Aupaluk of Akulivik was acclaimed.

The board of directors lost a long-time member when its last president, Eli Elijassiapik, died last month at age 79.

He had served as the FCNQ’s president, on and off, since the 1980s.

During the AGM, individual co-ops earned prizes for their performance over the last year: Inukjuak’s cooperative association won for Best Performance in 2014, while the Kuujjuaraapik cooperative association earned the Most Improved trophy for 2014.