Nunavik Cost-of-Living Reduction Measures

Kuujjuaq, Québec, July 1, 2015 – The Kativik Regional Government (KRG) and the Makivik Corporation today added camping fuel and snowmobile oil to the list of items covered under the Food and Other Essentials Program, one of the six Nunavik Cost-of-Living Reduction Measures. A 30% discount will be applied to these new items.

The Food and Other Essentials Program ensures lower prices for consumers on over 1500 commonly purchased food, personal care, household, clothing and footwear products, as well as certain camping supplies in Nunavik stores with discounts of between 20 and 40%. Participating stores are cooperative stores and Northern Stores in every community, plus Newviq’vi in Kuujjuaq.

Nunavik Cost-of-Living Reduction Measures are intended to promote healthy lifestyles and take into account Inuit traditions and culture. The funding for the measures is provided by the Québec government pursuant to the Agreement on the Financing of Measures to Reduce the Cost of Living in Nunavik signed with the Makivik Corporation and the KRG in December 2013 and in effect until March 31, 2017. Under the agreement, Québec has committed to pay $33 million for the measures over three years.

Also under the agreement, an in-depth study of the consumer patterns of Nunavimmiut is being conducted by Université Laval with a view to developing a comparative cost of living index. Data for the study has been collected since the beginning of this year in Kuujjuaq, Tasiujaq, Salluit, Kangiqsualujjuaq, Puvirnituq and Umiujaq. The study results are expected to be ready for release in 2016 and will be used to define effective and long-lasting solutions to the cost of living in Nunavik.

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Information:

William Tagoona, Communications Coordinator and Media Relations

Makivik Corporation

[email protected]

Tel. 819-964-2925

Emilie Courtemanche, Communications Officer

Kativik Regional Government

[email protected]

Tel. 819-964-2961

NT5