Latest news with #Makivvik
Hamilton Spectator
20-05-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
‘Huge milestone' achieved as Hydro-Quebec CEO signs multiple deals in Nunavik
Nunavik's clean energy development is getting a boost as Hydro-Quebec's CEO came to Kuujjuaq this week to sign multiple agreements with regional bodies. Hydro-Quebec CEO Michael Sabia signed a collaboration agreement with Makivvik on Tuesday at its office. The aim is to strengthen their relationship and foster economic development in Nunavik. This agreement includes the creation of a monitoring committee, where an action plan will be drafted with Inuit realities in mind. The plan is to increase investment opportunities in energy projects, the decarbonization of northern villages and economic and social benefits for Inuit. Sabia also met with Tarquti Energy and its shareholders, Makivvik and its community partners, the co-operatives of Puvirnituq and Quaqtaq, and Tuvaaluk Landholding Corp. of Quaqtaq to conclude crucial power purchase agreements for Quaqtaq and Puvirnituq's wind turbine projects. Joe Lance, general manager of Tarquti, said these contracts have been in negotiations for nearly two years. 'It sets the table to advance to the next steps,' he said in a French phone interview. The purchase agreements serve as a selling contract, where Tarquti and its partners will sell the energy production from its future wind turbine projects to Hydro-Quebec. Hydro-Quebec will then implement that energy into its electricity supply to the communities. 'It is a huge milestone,' said Lance. The next step is for those contracts to be sent to the Quebec Energy Board for approval. After that, Tarquti needs to acquire environmental permits. Lance said construction of the wind turbines in Quaqtaq is scheduled to begin in 2026, while the ones in Puvirnituq are planned to begin in 2027. The turbines will provide more than 60 per cent of the communities' electricity needs. Over 25 years, the initiatives are estimated to save 96 million litres of diesel fuel, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 253,000 tonnes of CO2.
CBC
10-05-2025
- CBC
Inuit group demands change from Nunavik police after officer kills Inuk man
A political organization that represents Inuit in Quebec says policing in the Far North is "broken" after an officer shot and killed an Inuk man on Tuesday. The shooting by the Nunavik Police Service is the second officer-involved death in the northern region since November, and has reignited anger and trauma in Nunavik. The Quebec coroner's office identified the victim as Mark R Annanack, 35, of Kangiqsualujjuaq. Makivvik, a group that represents the Inuit of Nunavik, said in a scathing statement this week there is a pattern of police using excessive force in the region. "Makivvik is calling for immediate and exceptional measures," the organization said, adding that while an independent investigation is necessary, other actions must follow. "This crisis demands substantial structural change in the way policing is delivered across Nunavik, we cannot wait for another report while more lives are put at risk." Makivvik head Pita Aatami asked how many families must suffer before the province "understands that policing in Nunavik is broken?" "This latest tragedy is not isolated: it reflects a systemic failure in the way policing is delivered in Nunavik," Aatami said. "Despite repeated warnings, commitments, and investigations, police interventions continue to fail our communities. We condemn this fatality, and we demand immediate and measurable accountability." Quebec's police watchdog — Bureau des enquêtes indépendantes — said members of the Nunavik Police Service had planned to arrest someone who was inside a tent in the Inuit village on the eastern shore of Ungava Bay. The police force said in its own statement that officers had a warrant for the man, but the force said he resisted when two officers tried to arrest him about 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday. The police force said officers used pepper spray on the man, who they say emerged from the tent with a knife. An officer tried to subdue the man with a stun gun, but as the situation evolved an officer opened fire and the victim was later declared dead at a regional health centre. Quebec's police oversight agency announced Wednesday it was investigating the shooting in Kangiqsualujjuaq. Nunavik Police Service has declined to comment further. Nunavik officers are equipped with body cameras, and the police service confirmed video has been shared with the watchdog agency. Makivvik said the latest death reflects a failure of the police force to de-escalate a situation or employ a level of cultural understanding. In November 2024, an officer shot and killed Joshua Papigatuk and seriously injured his twin brother Garnet after police responded to a call about alleged impaired driving in Salluit, about 1,850 kilometres north of Montreal. The Quebec police watchdog is also investigating that killing. Following Papigatuk's killing, Makivvik said it has worked with the Kativik Regional Government to create the Nunavik public safety committee, tasked with reforming policing practices, ensuring better accountability and engaging with local community leaders in the region. "The committee's mandate includes reviewing use-of-force policies, advancing Inuit-led oversight, and co-ordinating with communities directly impacted by police violence," the organization said. Kativik Regional Government said in its own statement the police watchdog needs to move faster on investigations in Nunavik, with a "firm agreement to produce complete final reports within six months." They also want the watchdog agency to convene public meetings with communities and review investigation results with them. They should also publish reports in Inuktitut. A spokesman for Quebec Indigenous Affairs Minister Ian Lafrenière said he was in contact with Makivvik's president. "I offered him my support in these very difficult times for everyone," the minister said in a statement, adding he would keep close tabs on the watchdog agency's investigation.
National Observer
09-05-2025
- National Observer
Inuit group calls for Nunavik Police reform after latest fatal shooting
A political organization that represents Inuit in Quebec says policing in the Far North is "broken" after an officer shot and killed an Inuk man on Tuesday. The shooting by the Nunavik Police Service is the second officer-involved death in the northern region since November, and has reignited anger and trauma in Nunavik. The Quebec coroner's office identified the victim as Mark R Annanack, 35, of Kangiqsualujjuaq. Makivvik, a group that represents the Inuit of Nunavik, said in a scathing statement this week there is a pattern of police using excessive force in the region. "Makivvik is calling for immediate and exceptional measures," the organization said, adding that while an independent investigation is necessary, other actions must follow. "This crisis demands substantial structural change in the way policing is delivered across Nunavik, we cannot wait for another report while more lives are put at risk." Makivvik head Pita Aatami asked how many families must suffer before the province "understands that policing in Nunavik is broken?" "This latest tragedy is not isolated: it reflects a systemic failure in the way policing is delivered in Nunavik,' Aatami said. "Despite repeated warnings, commitments, and investigations, police interventions continue to fail our communities. We condemn this fatality, and we demand immediate and measurable accountability.' Quebec's police watchdog — Bureau des enquêtes indépendantes — said members of the Nunavik Police Service had planned to arrest someone who was inside a tent in the Inuit village on the eastern shore of Ungava Bay. The police force said in its own statement that officers had a warrant for the man, but the force said he resisted when two officers tried to arrest him about 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Makivvik, a group that represents the Inuit of Nunavik, said in a scathing statement this week there is a pattern of police using excessive force in the region. "Makivvik is calling for immediate and exceptional measures," the organization said. The police force said officers used pepper spray on the man, who they say emerged from the tent with a knife. An officer tried to subdue the man with a stun gun, but as the situation evolved an officer opened fire and the victim was later declared dead at a regional health centre. Quebec's police oversight agency announced Wednesday it was investigating the shooting in Kangiqsualujjuaq. Nunavik Police Service has declined to comment further. Nunavik officers are equipped with body cameras, and the police service confirmed video has been shared with the watchdog agency. Makivvik said the latest death reflects a failure of the police force to de-escalate a situation or employ a level of cultural understanding. In November 2024, an officer shot and killed Joshua Papigatuk and seriously injured his twin brother Garnet after police responded to a call about alleged impaired driving in Salluit, about 1,850 kilometres north of Montreal. The Quebec police watchdog is also investigating that killing. Following Papigatuk's killing, Makivvik said it has worked with the Kativik Regional Government to create the Nunavik public safety committee, tasked with reforming policing practices, ensuring better accountability and engaging with local community leaders in the region. "The committee's mandate includes reviewing use-of-force policies, advancing Inuit-led oversight, and co-ordinating with communities directly impacted by police violence," the organization said. Kativik Regional Government said in its own statement the police watchdog needs to move faster on investigations in Nunavik, with a "firm agreement to produce complete final reports within six months." They also want the watchdog agency to convene public meetings with communities and review investigation results with them. They should also publish reports in Inuktitut. A spokesman for Quebec Indigenous Affairs Minister Ian Lafrenière said he was in contact with Makivvik's president. "I offered him my support in these very difficult times for everyone," the minister said in a statement, adding he would keep close tabs on the watchdog agency's investigation. Jake Lamotta Granato, a spokesman for the coroner, said coroner Francine Danais will investigate Annanack's death.
Global News
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Global News
‘Policing in Nunavik is broken': Inuit group wants change after latest fatal shooting
The political organization that represents Inuit in Quebec says policing in the Far North is 'broken' after an officer shot and killed an Inuk man on Tuesday. The shooting by the Nunavik Police Service is the second officer-involved death in the northern region since November. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Makivvik, a group that represents the Inuit of Nunavik, says there is a pattern of police using excessive force in the region. In a news release, Makivvik head Pita Aatami asked how many families must suffer before the province 'understands that policing in Nunavik is broken?' The organization says the latest death reflects a failure of the police force to de-escalate a situation or employ a level of cultural understanding. In November 2024, an officer shot and killed Joshua Papigatuk and seriously injured his twin brother Garnet after police responded to a call about alleged impaired driving in Salluit, about 1,850 kilometres north of Montreal.
Winnipeg Free Press
09-05-2025
- Winnipeg Free Press
‘Policing in Nunavik is broken': Inuit group wants change after latest fatal shooting
MONTREAL – The political organization that represents Inuit in Quebec says policing in the Far North is 'broken' after an officer shot and killed an Inuk man on Tuesday. The shooting by the Nunavik Police Service is the second officer-involved death in the northern region since November. Makivvik, a group that represents the Inuit of Nunavik, says there is a pattern of police using excessive force in the region. In a news release, Makivvik head Pita Aatami asked how many families must suffer before the province 'understands that policing in Nunavik is broken?' The organization says the latest death reflects a failure of the police force to de-escalate a situation or employ a level of cultural understanding. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. In November 2024, an officer shot and killed Joshua Papigatuk and seriously injured his twin brother Garnet after police responded to a call about alleged impaired driving in Salluit, about 1,850 kilometres north of Montreal. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 9, 2025.
