The Nunavik Accord: what it says

KUJJUAQ — Signed in Montreal on Nov. 5, 1999, by Canada, Quebec and the Makivik Corporation on behalf of Inuit and major public organizations in Nunavik, the accord set up a Nunavik Commission to “develop a timetable, plan of action and recommendations… as the basis for the discussions to create a government in Nunavik.”

According to the 12-page accord, the commission would develop recommendations that define:

• the powers, jurisdictions and responsibilities of the Nunavik government;

• the electoral process for this government’s members, selection of leader and responsibilities of the executive;

• the administrative structure of the Nunavik government, including administrative structures and personnel;

• a plan of consolidation for Nunavik’s organizations;

• amendments needed to the James Bay and Northern Quebec agreement;

• Nunavik’s relationship with governments and other jurisdictions;

• financial arrangements such as block funding with Quebec, transfers from Canada, revenue sharing, taxation powers and the ability to incur debt;

• measures to promote and enhance Inuit culture in Nunavik, including the use of Inuttitut in a Nunavik government.

It says any new Nunavik government would be a public governement, “open to all permanent residents of Nunavik” and respect the authority of the Quebec National Assembly and the Canadian Parliament. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedom will also continue to apply.

The design of the Nunavik government could be “innovative in nature” and respect the “Arctic character” of Nunavik as well as “the close relationship between with Inuit of Nunavik and Nunavut.”

The accord promised there will be training programs to encourage the “greatest number of Nunavik residents to fill positions within the Nunavik government.”

The accord didn’t set out a specific timetable for the establishment of the government, but it said there will be an implementation process for the government and a vote by Nunavimmiut before it’s implemented.

All the signing parties to the accord and Nunavik’s organizations are to receive the commission’s final report.

Included in the territory covered by the accord is the entire area north of the 55th parallel, with the exception of lands held by the Cree and Naskapi.