KRG looking at amendments to update the Kativik Act
Department leader says parts of the act are outdated; final decision lies with Quebec government
Kativik Regional Government wants to propose a series of new amendments to the Kativik Act by the end of the year. Final approval rests with the Quebec government. (Photo by Cedric Gallant)
Kativik Regional Government wants a review of the Kativik Act and plans to submit a list of proposed amendments to the Quebec government later this year.
The Kativik Act was signed in 1978 to establish a governing body for Nunavik under the James Bay Northern Quebec Agreement. Many of KRG’s responsibilities come from that act.
“Some of its sections are totally outdated, and absolutely not in line with the reality of 2024,” Johanne Fortin, KRG’s legal and socio-judicial department director, said during a presentation to the regional council on Wednesday.
At this week’s council meeting in Kuaraapik, she outlined possible amendments that could be proposed to the government of Quebec by the end of the year.
Fortin said Quebec’s municipal affairs and housing ministry is “very interested in receiving amendments.”
She provided examples of possible amendments to the council, including one related to the way KRG requires approval from the Quebec government to make agreements with the federal government.
The process is “becoming very heavy,” Fortin said, adding it can take months waiting for approval from Quebec. “We want to be exempted from that.”
Another proposed amendment would give KRG the right to refuse to award a contract to a particular bidder in cases where it has had a bad experience with the company’s performance in the past.
“At the moment, we cannot do that,” Fortin said.
Another would allow KRG to give priority to Inuit during the tendering process.
Examples provided at the meeting were a “quick overview” of amendments that could be presented, Fortin said.
KRG expects to present a final list of proposed amendments to the Quebec government by the end of the year.
Make sure you have Makivvik Approval🤑
Yeah, just take a look at how the Inuit company priority thing during tendering has worked out for Nunavut. Perhaps Nunavik doesn’t want to saddle itself with the same sort of impediment to growth and development?
Of course, the province is going to want to keep approval of agreements with the federal government. It what world would allowing provincial regions to enter into agreements willy-nilly with the federal government be in the best interests of a province as a whole?
Increased autonomy for federal agreements makes sense in the context of Nunavik.
Inuit in Quebec deserve the same nation to nation autonomy afforded to the Crees or Nunavut Inuit. Other municipalities don’t have the same constraints faced by KRG.
On the road safety file alone Kativik should have increased autonomy to adopt a road safety approach that recognizes the current reality of the region. Too many people in Nunavik are injured due to poor infrastructure and lax enforcement.
Nunavik is an integral part of Quebec, it only makes sense that Quebec has primary say in its running. Nunavik is a creature of Quebec, no matter how much it feels good to pretend otherwise. That is why I laugh when I see NN referring to the “Nunavik territory of Quebec”. Ummm, no, it is the Nunavik region/area of Quebec.
The most important ‘nation to nation’ relationship is that between the ‘Nunavik Inuit nation’ and the nation of Quebec.
The relationship between Canada and Nunavik is that of a region and the federal state. Anything that infringes on provincial jurisdiction will be watched very closely by a province. Anything that would give other regions in the country with ethnoculturally/linguistically distinct populations with a defined region (I’m thinking specifically of the Acadians of New Brunswick, a very distinct ‘nation’ with a clear geographic region) the ability to make similar claims will be examined very closely for any precedents.
I completely agree with you about the road safety thing. This is something that I’m sure Quebec would be happy to wash its hands off and give to Nunavik.
But there is no nation of Quebec. Until the 1960s, Nunavik wasn’t part of Quebec.
Quebec should answer to the Inuit who present the province proposals that reflect reality today in the region. Too many policies from the south can’t be applied in Nunavik equitably. Healthcare and road safety are glaring examples. Vehicle traffic has exploded, and there’s no licensing, enforcement or insurance support to match.
Why should the Inuit of ivujivik live under rules meant for places with the infrastructure like Montreal or Quebec.
Road injuries and fatalities remain Nunavik’s largest liability. Impaired driving remains rampant.
Hmmm, the members of the National Assembly would be surprised to hear that there is no Quebec nation. If we take a nation as a group of people with a shared sense of identity, then there is clearly a Quebec nation. If there is no Quebec nation, then there is absolutely not an Inuit or Metis nation.
The comment that Nunavik was not part of Quebec until the 1960s is just so wrong and I don’t know where to begin.
I don’t disagree with you at all on the road safety front. These are all provincial jurisdictions, and we should be working with Quebec City to increase jurisdiction there.
The provincial legislature can declare themselves followers of the Spaghetti monster too.
Quebec remains a province.
Look up the history. Nunavik was part of Ruperts land and was a federal territory. That’s what the rcmp was the police of jurisdiction. They shot the sled teams.
This is history. Quebec likes to think history only records the recent past. You’re a province of Canada, and always will be, because without transfer payments Quebec couldn’t afford it’s patriotism.