Nunavik gives the nod to billion-dollar deal with Quebec

Nunavimmiut have voted 69 per cent in favour of the billion-dollar agreement reached with Quebec in early April.

“I’m very happy,” said Pita Aatami, president of Makivik Corporation, the morning after the Tuesday vote. “We look at it as seven out of 10 people voted for it.”

The Nunavik deal is intended to speed up the development of the region’s hydroelectric, mining and tourism potential.

In it, Quebec and Nunavik agree on how to share the financial benefits of this development, Makivik and the Kativik Regional Government gain more autonomy, and the residents of Nunavik receive improved public services and infrastructure.

The turnout for the ratification vote was low, however — only 33 per cent — even lower than the turnout for a recent Makivik executive election. The total number of eligible voters is 5,073, but only 1,663 actually voted. Of these, 1,141 were in favour of the deal, and 512 were against.

Voters turned out in greatest numbers in Chisasibi, Kangiqsujuaq, Tasiujaq, Montreal and at the Raglan mine.

The lowest turnouts were in Inukjuak, Kangirsuk, Salluit and Kuujjuaq, where only about 20 per cent of the voters cast ballots — in spite of advance polls that were held on May 2 to encourage everyone to vote.

Only beneficiaries of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement who are 18 and over were eligible to participate in the vote.

They answered the following question with a yes or no: “Do you support ratification by Makivik Corporation and the Kativik Regional Government of the “Sanarrutik,” the partnership agreement on economic and community development in Nunavik, signed with Quebec on April 9, 2002, in Tasiujaq, Quebec?”

Two communities voted against the deal — Inukjuak, where 62 per cent of the voters opposed the deal, and Ivujivik, where 67 per cent voted no.

The results from Inukjuak surprised KRG chairman Johnny Adams because the community needs new infrastructure and more jobs — two of the areas that will be helped by the deal.

Following the vote, Makivik’s board and the KRG’s regional council were expected to approve resolutions that accepted results and would allow Quebec to go ahead with the agreement.

Quebec’s cabinet will then formally close the deal — and within 60 days, millions of dollars will begin to flow into Nunavik.

“Hopefully, we can get some projects going by this summer,” Adams said.