Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions

SUBJECT

Overview of Canada Economic Development for Quebec Region’s contribution in Nunavik.

MANDATE

Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED)’s mission is to promote the long-term economic development of the regions of Quebec by giving special attention to those where slow economic growth is prevalent or opportunities for productive employment are inadequate.

AUTHORIZED ASSISTANCE

Since November 4th, 2015, Canada Economic Development for Quebec regions approved 5 projects in Nunavik, totaling more than 1.7 million $ in authorized assistance with total investments reaching over 6 million $. The companies and organizations supported by CED expect to create and maintain more than 52 jobs with these 5 projects.

Approbation Authorized Recipient Description date funding The project is intended to set up a port Administration régionale 17-12-2015 $305 622 lighting system to make it possible to serve Kativik the community by sea for a longer period. The project aims to support the operating costs of the Community Futures Nunavik Investment Development Corporation (CFDC) over a 1 02-06-2016 $440 362 Corporation (C.F.D.C.) year period. This organization provides funding to local SME’s as well as coaching and business advises. The project aims to support the operating costs of the Community Futures Nunavik Investment Development Corporation (CFDC) over a 2 19-04-2017 $880 724 Corporation (C.F.D.C.) year period. This organization provides funding to local SME’s as well as coaching and business advises. Qiniqtiq Landholding The project is aimed at constructing a new Corporation of 16-03-2018 $90 000 building in which, part of it, will be used to Kangiqsualujjuaq operate a new restaurant.

The project aims to improve services of a key Auberge Kuujjuaq inc. 16-03-208 $20 000 accommodation infrastructure in the main Inuit community.

PARTNERSHIPS

• CED works in close partnership with Makivik Corporation inc. and Kativik Regional Government (KRG), two key organizations in Nunavik. The collaboration allows the support of economic development projects which are prioritized by the main stakeholders in the region.

• CED is also a contributing federal partner of the North Treasure Initiative – Labrador Trough, a Strategic Partnerships Initiative (SPI) that applies to Nunavik. The goal is to support the participation of Indigenous people in northern development of Quebec, particularly in major mining projects in the Labrador Trough. The initiative has three specific objectives: to develop Aboriginal human capital (labour market), to strengthen Aboriginal entrepreneurship and to enhance the value of Aboriginal assets.

• CED is currently working with Indigenous Affairs on several projects to assist Nunavimmiut on various economic development projects. One of these projects is a strategic planning project which aims at consulting the communities and identifying which of the many economic development projects should be prioritized for short, medium and long-term implementation.

• In addition, CED is working with Inuit organizations to identify how it could be of assistance to support the business opportunities arising from the development of the renewable energies sector.

CURRENT CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

Through financial assistance and its collaboration with key players in economic development, CED is actively working to help the communities of Nunavik to address economic challenges and to contribute to its economic growth.

Economic development challenges faced in Nunavik include remote location with no road connection between communities and to the south, limited access by air and sea having an impact of the access to markets and business networks, the higher cost of doing business in the North, access to funding and capital, lack of adequate infrastructure such as internet and cellular coverage to ensure economic development and diversification, lower levels of education, limited access to skilled employees and language barriers when dealing with certain organizations.

The Nunavimmiut also benefit from economic development opportunities, namely:

• Various mining projects including mines which are currently in production, such as Glencore-Raglan Mine. These mining projects provide numerous employment and business opportunities arising from a procurement policy, priority of hiring, priority of contracts within the network of mining operations (catering, heavy equipment operators, etc.);

• Other sectors such as tourism, renewable energies, fisheries, biofood and telecommunications also offer promising economic development opportunities. For example, Nunavik Parks offers important tourism development possibilities with its unique trekking and hiking experiences. Another example would be the renewable energies which will introduce new types of energies in Nunavik to replace the current fossil fuel while also providing favorable conditions for the creation of expertise and business start-ups;

• Joint ventures between Inuit and non-Inuit businesses provide favorable conditions for Inuit to benefit from transfer of expertise and to increase their share of business in Nunavik;

• Nunavik has a young population and youth interested in becoming entrepreneurs can enhance their participation in the Nunavik, Quebec and Canadian economy.