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NUNAVIK - SIGNING OF NEW $140 MILLION AGREEMENT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF 275 HOUSING UNITS

Kuujjuaq, June 27, 2005 - The Minister of Municipal Affairs and the Regions, Nathalie Normandeau, the Minister for Native Affairs, Geoffrey Kelley, the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, the Honourable Andy Scott, the President of Makivik Corporation, Pita Aatami, the Chairperson of the Kativik Regional Government, Johnny N. Adams, and the President of the Kativik Municipal Housing Bureau, Maggie Emudluk, have announced the signing of a new agreement between the Government of Québec, the Government of Canada and the Inuit of Nunavik to implement a five-year housing construction program in Nunavik.

This agreement follows on the heels of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement (JBNQA). It aims to provide housing for the Inuit of Nunavik through the construction, in the next five years, of some 275 housing units. The agreement will also lessen the housing shortage still affecting the region.

"The renewal of this agreement will certainly alleviate the housing shortage that the Inuit of Nunavik have unfortunately been experiencing. We must continue to work together for the betterment of housing needs in Nunavik," stated Pita Aatami during a press conference held today in Kuujjuaq. Also attending were Nathalie Normandeau, Johnny N. Adams and Maggie Emudluk.

According to Minister Kelley, “currently, 68% of Inuit in Nunavik live in overcrowded conditions. The housing needs in the region are important, especially in the case of young families. The signing of this agreement is a tangible gesture toward improving the living conditions of the Inuit, who face considerable population growth.”

The costs of the agreement totalling approximately $140 million are funded in equal parts by the Québec government and the federal government.

“This agreement will improve housing conditions and bring many economic benefits for the Inuit of the region," said Minister Scott. “Canada is committed to working collaboratively with Aboriginal groups, industry and other governments to build self-reliance and improve the quality of life for Aboriginal communities.”

Canada will finance the construction of housing. For its part, Québec will underwrite operating deficits related to the housing units for the next 20 years. Makivik Corporation will remain the principal contractor for the construction of the housing, while the Kativik Municipal Housing Bureau will become the owner and manager of the units, once construction is completed.

“I wish to highlight the Kativik Regional Government’s exceptional collaboration. This new agreement will help the local authorities in Nunavik take control of housing construction and management activities. It will also bolster job training and job creation,” concluded Minister Normandeau.

Source:

Nathalie Beaulieu
Communications Officer
Direction des communications
Société d’habitation du Québec
(418) 643-5033

Information:

Jonathan Trudeau
Press Officer
Cabinet of the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Regions
(418) 691-2050
(514) 873-2622

Margot Geduld
Media Relations
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
(819) 994-2044

Lisa Koperqualuk
Communications Officer
Makivik Corporation
(514) 386-0669

Larry Watt
Communications Director
Kativik Regional Government
(819) 964-2961

Pierre Roy
Client Service Director
Kativik Municipal Housing Bureau
(819) 964-2000

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