Tarralik Magazine spoke with Mr. Patrick Beauchesne, President and CEO of the Société du Plan Nord. This organization oversees the actions of the Gouvernement du Québec north of the 49th parallel.

1. What is the mission of the Société du Plan Nord?
   The mission of the Société du Plan Nord is to promote the integrated and consistent development of Québec’s northern territory, which extends north of the 49th parallel and includes Nunavik. This is pursued with a focus on sustainable development. It works in concert with representatives from the affected regions and Indigenous nations, as well as the private sector. In Nunavik, it works closely with the Inuit nation. The Société du Plan Nord is also responsible for implementing the Gouvernement du Québec’s Northern Action Plan 2023–2028.
2. What is the Northern Action Plan 2023–2028?
   The Northern Action Plan 2023–2028 is a strategy developed by the Gouvernement du Québec to address the needs identified and prioritized by representatives of the northern territory. Developed in collaboration with 25 ministries and agencies, the strategy encompasses 45 new tangible actions and an investment of $2.57 billion. The Northern Action Plan also puts forward financial tools that organizations in Nunavik can benefit from.
3. What programs and types of financial assistance are available?
   First, we have the Fonds d’initiatives nordiques helping us support local initiatives that will have a tangible impact on northern communities and at the regional level. The projects supported come from a wide range of sectors, including tourism, workforce recruitment, and food security. A tool is also available for large-scale northern projects, specifically projects requiring more significant investments. This tool is known as the Opportunity Budget. It enables us, among other things, to support infrastructure projects. We also have the Programme de sécurité alimentaire nordique, which allows us to support various actions related to local food. This encompasses production, processing, and food preservation. We have contributed to the establishment of several greenhouses in the northern territory through the previous version of this program. Ultimately, the workforce training program in northern environments specifically targets training projects designed to meet labour market needs. Another key objective is workforce retention within the territory.
   Full details of our programs are available at Québec.ca: https://www.quebec.ca/en/government/policies-orientations/northern-territory-development/financial-support.
4. When can a project be submitted?
   The next call for projects from the Fonds d’initiatives nordiques will take place from January 22 to March 12, 2025. This winter, a new call for projects is planned for the opportunity budget. Please follow us on our social media platforms, such as LinkedIn, to receive real-time updates. Finally, you can submit your project for the last two programs at any time.
5. Who should I contact if I have questions?
   If you need assistance, please feel free to email us with your needs at information@spn.gouv.qc.ca. We will connect you with the advisor assigned to your program or region. They will be able to guide you through the process.