Kuujjuaq, Quebec, June 11, 2010 – The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of State for Canada Economic Development, announces that the Makivik Corporation has been awarded two financial contributions, one, repayable, in the amount of $271,784 and the other, $200,079, in non-repayable funding. These contributions will enable the organization to implement two growth-generating initiatives in the Nord-du-Québec region. These projects will represent an investment of $1,032 858.
The first federal contribution will serve to develop cellular telephone services for Kuujjuaq residents and businesses. A subsidiary of Makivik Corporation, Nunatel, will be responsible for offering and managing the prepaid service.
The second contribution will enable Makivik Corporation to conduct environmental engineering and impact studies with a view to constructing a state-of-the-art breakwater to serve the community of Kuujjuarapik. This marine infrastructure construction project will be the last of 14 planned at different Nunavik Inuit villages. This type of facility is a cornerstone of the local economy: it facilitates the supply of goods and docking of Nordic cruise ships, vital to furthering tourism development.
“Ensuring the prosperity of communities is a priority for the Government of Canada. To that end, we are proud to support projects that improve living conditions and the economic outlook in remote communities. In this case, Makivik Corporation’s two initiatives will make an important contribution to stimulating job creation in Nord-du-Québec Inuit communities,” explained Minister of State Lebel.
Makivik Corporation, a non-profit organization established in 1978 following the signing of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement, manages funds received under this accord and contributes to the economic development of Nunavik’s Inuit. The funding from Canada Economic Development has been awarded through the Community Adjustment Fund, part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan adopted in January 2009.
For more on Canada’s Economic Action Plan, see www.actionplan.gc.ca.
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Sources:
Jean-François Lauzon
Communications
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 514-283-0306
E-mail: jean-francois.lauzon@dec-ced.gc.ca
Ève Cardinal
Special Assistant, Communications
Office of the Honourable Denis Lebel
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 819-997-3319
E-mail: eve.cardinal@dec-ced.gc.ca
