Creating a Distinct Construction Workforce Region for Nunavik

Press Release

Kuujjuaq, Québec, March 16, 2016 – Further to recent amendments to the Regulation respecting the Hiring and Mobility of Employees in the Construction Industry, transition measures take effect today that will lead to the creation of a separate construction workforce placement region for Nunavik by June 2017. The transition measures will adapt the construction industry to northern realities.

“After more than 30 years of representations by our organizations, these measures will finally bring labour hiring and mobility rules in the construction industry in line with paragraphs 29.0.31 and 29.0.32 of the JBNQA,” stated Jobie Tukkiapik, President of the Makivik Corporation. “This is a very positive step forward for Nunavik Inuit.”

Specifically, the transition measures will:

• Permit the conversion of active certificate exemptions currently held by Nunavik sanajiit into regular apprentice or occupation competency certificates in order to form the Nunavik labour pool.
• Improve access for Nunavik sanajiit who hold apprentice competency certificates to the construction industry worker training fund of the Commission de la construction du Québec (CCQ).
• Implement priority hiring rules according to Aboriginal and regional residency criteria and journeyperson-apprentice ratios prescribed by the CCQ.
• Allow the hiring of workers from other regions of Québec according to the conditions set out in the Regulation.

“The KRG and Makivik lobbied strongly for this decision during consultations conducted by the CCQ in 2014,” pointed out Jennifer Munick, Chairperson of the Kativik Regional Government (KRG). “This development furthers the goal of the KRG Sanajiit Project to build a strong regional pool of qualified construction tradespeople.”

The KRG and the Makivik Corporation are set to continue collaborating closely with the Commission de la construction du Québec (CCQ) to foster an efficient transition and adaptation of the construction industry to the region’s distinct characteristics, including Inuit culture and the Inuktitut language. Regional organizations want to work with the CCQ to develop an action plan to help construction worker candidates comply with academic requirements and necessary training.

Sanajiit and other Nunavimmiut wishing to become involved in the region’s construction industry are encouraged to contact the KRG Sanajiit Project on Facebook or by telephone at 1‑877‑964‑2961.

– 30 –

Contact:

Jean-Philippe DuboisWilliam TagoonaCommunications OfficerCommunication Coordinator and Media RelationsKativik Regional GovernmentMakivik Corporation  media@krg.ca; www.krg.ca  wtagoona@makivik.org819 964-2961819 964-2925

The Kativik Regional Government is a non-ethnic public organization created in 1978, under the James Bay and Northern Québec Agreement. The organization has jurisdiction over nearly the entire territory of Québec north of the 55th parallel in areas such as municipal matters, transportation, the environment, policing, employment, labour training, income security, childcare services, renewable resources, land-use planning, civil security and economic development.

Makivik is the development corporation mandated to manage the heritage funds of the Inuit of Nunavik provided for under the James Bay and Northern Québec Agreement. Makivik’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. Makivik promotes the preservation of Inuit culture and language as well as the health, welfare, relief of poverty, and education of Inuit in the communities.

ILR5