PRESS RELEASE
September 23, 2021 – Kuujjuaq, Nunavik – Makivvik congratulates Justin Trudeau and the Liberal Party on their win in the 2021 Federal Election. We hope that the outcome of this year’s election brings continued support for, and meaningful dialogue with Indigenous communities across Canada. Most importantly, we hope to see the government address the ongoing challenges faced by Inuit in Nunavik.
“I’m pleased with the outcome of this year’s federal election,” said Makivvik President Pita Aatami. “This government first took office in November of 2015, and from that day forward we started the long process of educating the government and their officials on the issues that Inuit across the Arctic face every day. This is a process that we find ourselves in each time a new party is elected to office. With the Liberals re-elected, it means that we can pick our files back up from where they were left when the writ was dropped and get right back to work. The working relationship between the Government of Canada and Inuit Nunangat has come a long way in the past six years, but there is still a lot of work that needs to be done.”
The severe lack of housing within Nunavik, the renegotiation of the Croll Agreement on the implementation of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement, along with the infrastructure gap between Nunavik and the South, remain the main issues that need to be addressed by the federal government. Forty-six years have passed since the signing of the JBNQA and implementation of the agreement continues to be in dispute. There are several federal obligations that remain unaddressed or outstanding, and Makivvik would like the federal government to come up with commitments that provide real solutions to these issues over the next three years.
Sylvie Bérubé will be serving her second term as MP of the electoral district that Nunavik falls into: Abitibi–Baie– James–Nunavik–Eeyou.
Makivvik President Pita Aatami said he looks forward to her visiting the North. “I look forward to Sylvie Bérubé’s visit to Nunavik this time around. It’s very important to us that you visit the region that you represent and that we discuss how you can help us in our priorities. The reality of the communities across Nunavik is drastically different when compared to a city like Val d’Or, and the only way to truly understand the constituents that you serve in Nunavik is to come to the region and meet us in person. We look forward to your visit to Nunavik and the talks that follow.”
The electoral boundaries of the Abitibi–Baie–James–Nunavik–Eeyou riding also remain an issue for Makivvik. Nunavik accounts for more than half the landmass found within the riding, but only accounts for approximately 15 per cent of the population. We ask: How can Inuit of Nunavik elect a representative that they feel will lobby for them at the federal level as their MP, when they are only a small percentage of the population represented?
In closing, Makivvik also wants to congratulate all candidates. You deserve our respect as you keep our democracy alive and meaningful.
Results from the 2021 Federal Election can be found from the following link > https://enr.elections.ca/National.aspx
-30-
Contact:
Carson Tagoona
Director of Communications
Makivvik
ctagoona@makivik.org
Makivvik is the land claims organization mandated to manage the heritage funds of the Inuit of Nunavik provided for under 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.