Deal reached to ease cost of living in Nunavik
Current 6-year program set to expire in 2025 was extended 1 year; new one runs until 2032
A new agreement to reduce the cost of living in Nunavik has been reached between Makivvik, Kativik Regional Government and the Quebec government for the 2026 to 2032 period. (File photo)
This story was updated on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, at 1 p.m. ET.
A tentative new agreement to reduce the cost of living in Nunavik has been reached between Makivvik, Kativik Regional Government and the Quebec government.
The deal — valued at $155 million, to be paid for by the provincial government — has been agreed to but hasn’t yet been signed, KRG treasurer Chahine Noujeim told councillors during their meeting Wednesday.
The current agreement, specifically for beneficiaries of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement, was reached in 2019 and originally set to expire in 2025. It was extended to March 2026, however, to allow time for negotiations on a new agreement.
The new deal runs from 2026 to 2032.
Its value is 34.7 per cent higher than the previous agreement, which totalled $115 million over six years.
“It’s a good increase,” Noujeim said, noting it was less than the $210 million that Makivvik and KRG requested from the provincial government.
In 2023, grocery prices in Nunavik were 33.6 per cent higher than in southern Quebec, according to a 2024 report by Laval University on the price dynamics in Nunavik.
The report also found that in-store price subsidy programs significantly helped to lower costs in the region.
Funding from the new agreement will be used for six Nunavik cost-of-living reduction programs offering assistance for elders, reduced airfare, subsidized gas prices, country food community support, help with household appliances, and assistance to purchase harvesting equipment.
Noujeim did not say when the new agreement will be signed and finalized.
Correction: This story has been updated to correct who announced the deal to KRG council.
Every thing is going up in price except my pay cheque .
No ease here in the west from our governor …
What percent of Nunavik’s population will benefit from subsidies for airfares, appliances and harvesting equipment? Aren’t medical airfares already provided by the state? Aren’t housing and appliances provided by the state? Isn’t employment and guaranteed income provided by the state?
Hey ”S” , shut up , i m getting free monies , keep your opinions to your self.
@ S
No!
Work harder. This tax money wont pay itself!
23.4% income tax.