Nunavik’s new deal: the highlights

TASIUJAQ — The deal that the Inuit of Nunavik walked off with this week is worth a billion dollars.

But Quebec downplayed the its gargantuan size by not counting the price-tag on several long-term commitments listed in the deal.

The total estimated value doesn’t even include the multi-million-dollar revenue cheques that Hydro-Québec is agreeing to pay Nunavik if new hydroelectric developments take place.

In the deal, Quebec finally agrees to pay for two new detention centres in Nunavik. The deal calls for the construction of a new 40-cell jail by Dec. 31, 2005, and a 10-person halfway house by April 1, 2004.

Building and then operating these two facilities over 25 years will cost Quebec more than $300 million — an amount that does not appear anywhere in the agreement.

As part of the jackpot, Quebec also agrees to pay Makivik and the KRG $360 million over 25 years for community and economic projects totalling:

• $7 million in the first year of the deal;

• $8 million in the second year;

• $5 million for the next 23 years.

The $900-plus million also includes:

• $115 million to the KRG for community and economic projects in addition to the regular provincial programs the region will continue to access.

• $35 million for road paving and more than $44 million for Quebec’s share of dock and road construction.

• $18 million for Nunavik’s fledgling provincial park network.

• More than $50 million to the KRG, 48 per cent of the money needed to hire more police officers and build new police stations in Nunavik through 2008;

• Money for the training and annual salaries of six new wildlife officers and six wildlife protection assistants, worth more than $1 million a year;

• Businesses owned by Nunavik Inuit will get priority for government goods and services contracts in the region;

• Inuit will receive priority for jobs connected with any resource development;

• Block transfer agreements for the KRG and municipalities, all amounts will be indexed and adjusted to Nunavik’s population growth.

The money will start to flow within 60 days of the final ratification in May.

A coordinating committee of four representatives from Quebec, two from Makivik and two from the KRG will oversee the implementation of the deal.