KRG looking at amendments to update the Kativik Act
Kativik Regional Government wants a review of the Kativik Act and plans to submit a list of proposed amendments to the Quebec government later this year.
The Kativik Act was signed in 1978 to establish a governing body for Nunavik under the James Bay Northern Quebec Agreement. Many of KRG’s responsibilities come from that act.
“Some of its sections are totally outdated, and absolutely not in line with the reality of 2024,” Johanne Fortin, KRG’s legal and socio-judicial department director, said during a presentation to the regional council on Wednesday.
At this week’s council meeting in Kuaraapik, she outlined possible amendments that could be proposed to the government of Quebec by the end of the year.
Fortin said Quebec’s municipal affairs and housing ministry is “very interested in receiving amendments.”
She provided examples of possible amendments to the council, including one related to the way KRG requires approval from the Quebec government to make agreements with the federal government.
The process is “becoming very heavy,” Fortin said, adding it can take months waiting for approval from Quebec. “We want to be exempted from that.”
Another proposed amendment would give KRG the right to refuse to award a contract to a particular bidder in cases where it has had a bad experience with the company’s performance in the past.
“At the moment, we cannot do that,” Fortin said.
Another would allow KRG to give priority to Inuit during the tendering process.
Examples provided at the meeting were a “quick overview” of amendments that could be presented, Fortin said.
KRG expects to present a final list of proposed amendments to the Quebec government by the end of the year.
Cedric Gallant, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunatsiaq News
