Kitikmeot Inuit beneficiaries could save thousands on shipping machines north
Kitikmeot Inuit Association unveils program providing 75 per cent rebates ATV, snowmobile and boat shipping costs
Kitkimeot Inuit Association says a new subsidy the covers 75 per cent of the cost of shipping snowmobiles, ATVs, boats and motors to the region is meant to help its beneficiaries engage in traditional Inuit activities. The association announced the new subsidy program on Monday. (File photo)
Inuit beneficiaries from the Kitikmeot region are now eligible for a 75 per cent subsidy on the cost of shipping snowmobiles, all-terrain and utility-terrain vehicles, boats and outboard motors.
The Kitikmeot Inuit Association’s freight subsidy is intended to make the pursuit of traditional Inuit activities, “easier and more affordable,” the organization’s news release announcing the subsidy on Monday said.
“We’ve been receiving a number of calls already and comments on Facebook posts,” Kitikmeot Inuit Association executive director Fred Pedersen said Tuesday. “So there’s great interest in the program.”
The cost of shipping to the North can be prohibitively expensive, he said. Depending on the vehicle and shipping method, it can range from $5,000 to $20,000.
Adding that to the purchase price for an ATV or snowmobile — which themselves can cost between $12,000 and $20,000 — puts buying one out of reach for many people.
Pedersen noted that shipping by sealift is generally the least expensive method but it isn’t always possible. Air shipments are other options.
Under the new subsidy, eligible beneficiaries will receive a 75 per cent rebate on shipping costs after they submit a paid receipt to the Inuit association.
The Kitikmeot association allocated $1 million to the program and Pedersen expects as many as 200 beneficiaries could end up participating.
“Seventy-five per cent on a $10,000 shipping charge is a large sum of money to receive back as a rebate,” he said. “People that are thinking of it are probably now going to go out and buy one.”
The subsidy is scheduled to remain in effect until March 31, 2026. The association will not accept receipts from shipping done prior to the start date of Jan. 27, 2025.
Great news for dealers of recreational vehicles in Alberta and Yellowknife. Terrible news for local stores who sell this equipment. Bad news in the long term for credit ratings. Great news for collection agencies. Bad news for food security, hard to make the case that spending tens of thousands of dollars for equipment to hunt non existent or limited resources is a good idea. Great news for this years spring races, should be lots of monster new machines entered.
Mid-20s guys working at the mines spending $20+K on new machines while still living at mom’s. And not for hunting or fishing. Makes for beautiful music at 2am though.
That’s a great question could the subsidy be applied to local stores for a discount?
No thanks, don’t want to watch adrenaline junkies who feel exhilarated by racing, clearly these people have no other way to get their dopamine rush.
This is a benefit for Kitikmeot Inuit beneficiaries, not to support local business/stores. who most likely already make a ton of profit. The news release doesn’t say this sole purpose of this is for hunting /fishing/ harvesting. Inuit use machines for other reasons, like just to get out on the land.
hmmm buying the vee-hickles from the local co-op would also benefit all community members of the co-op, seems like a super idea.
And where is Kivalliq Inuit Assoc? Riding high on meetings out of the territory in Manitoba. KIA, what a waste……doesn’t do much, non-renewable(s) Muppet.
Great news for those who have to send their equipment out and back for major repairs
If you want to save 75% on freight, plan ahead and use the sealift instead of Buffalo.
Buffalo Airways is probably foaming at the mouth thinking about all the money they will get from this.
Just another uncreative way to use up millions of dollars.
Make gasoline cheaper..instead
There are real needs but baling out those who can’t plan to use sealift is not one of them.
Off-topic, but… shouldn’t this and all articles have a link to the article in Inuktitut?
Us Qitiqmeot Beneficiaries should have been consulted, 75%! Haha! put the money back into NHSP.
Yes, bad news for Local Businesses.. Go Figure.. Qitiqmeot katujiratigiit needs to rethink their mandate, focus on reviving Your tongue.
This will benefit a lot of Harvesters, and Members who sells their big ticket items to recoup some of the funds they put in.