(en)

Press Release

Kuujjuaq, Québec, September 1, 2012 –This year, the region’s main fuel distributor has announced that the price of gasoline for the coming year will rise from $1.825 per litre to $1.935. Since September 2011 under the Gasoline Subsidy Program, regional consumers in every community had been paying $1.55 per litre at the pumps.

In parallel with the rising price of gasoline, demand under the region’s six cost-of-living reduction measures is quickly outstripping funding. Since the Gasoline Subsidy Program, the Food Program, the Transportation Subsidy Program (for vehicles and appliances), Support for Inuit Harvesting Activities, the Airfare Reduction Program, and Elders’ Assistance were created by the Makivvik and the Kativik Regional Government (KRG) starting in 2007, these programs have become more and more popular with Nunavimmiut. Québec-government funding for these programs in 2012–2013 is $5 million, while for 2013–2014 the region is continuing to make representations to Québec to have the amount increased.

Given the lack of available funding, Makivvik and the KRG have been forced, effective today, to lower the Gasoline Subsidy Program from 27¢ to 21¢ per litre for the coming year. The price of gasoline sold by Nunavik’s fuel distributors was therefore expected to rise as of September 1st to $1.725 per litre at the pumps. The KRG and Makivvik want to thank Nunavik’s fuel distributors for their continued cooperation implementing the Gasoline Subsidy Program in every community.

The KRG is a non-ethnic public organization created in 1978, under the James Bay and Northern Québec Agreement. The organization has jurisdiction over nearly the entire territory of Québec north of the 55th parallel in areas such as municipal matters, transportation, the environment, policing, employment, labour training, income security, childcare services, renewable resources, land-use planning, civil security and economic development.

Makivvik is the development corporation mandated to manage the heritage funds of the Inuit of Nunavik provided for in the James Bay and Northern Québec Agreement. Makivvik’s role includes the administration and investment of these funds and the promotion of economic growth by providing assistance for the creation of Inuit-operated businesses in Nunavik. Makivvik promotes the preservation of Inuit culture and language as well as the health, welfare, relief of poverty, and education of Inuit in the communities.

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