$65 million for infrastructure

KRG president Johnny Adams was all smiles after he received the news that Quebec’s cabinet approved $65 million for new infrastructure in Nunavik.

The money will be used over five years on projects to:

* supply and distribute drinking water;
* collect and treat waste water;
* collect and dispose of solid waste;
* improve and maintain roadways;
* And maintain, repair and store municipal equipment.

The new funding is a renewal of the existing Isurruutiit program, which provided $45 million of municipal infrastructure funds between 2001-2005.

This program was to end on Dec. 31.

To celebrate the signing of the program’s renewal, Quebec Premier Jean Charest is to come to Kuujjuaq on Oct. 2, accompanied by his ministers of native and municipal affairs.

The only portion of the Isurruutiit renewal proposal not accepted by Quebec was a $400,000 pilot program for recycling in Nunavik.

This year, Isurruutiit paid for continuing work on water lagoons or waste water systems in nine communities.

The expectation of new money for municipal infrastructure came as a relief to Akulivik’s mayor Eli Audlaluk who can now look forward to a new garage for municipal vehicles, which are often stored outside during winter, as well as an additional water truck for his growing community.