Federal funding supports Nunavik food supply with Montreal warehouse expansion

The federal government says the completion of a Montreal-area warehouse expansion will help improve food security and lower costs for communities in Nunavik.

Parliamentary Secretary Ginette Lavack, on behalf of Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty, marked the project alongside officials from the Fédération des coopératives du Nouveau-Québec (FCNQ). The project received close to $1 million in federal support, including more than $966,000 from Indigenous Services Canada.

Located on the Island of Montréal, the expanded facility adds 1,580 square metres of refrigerated and freezer space, 6,500 square metres of standard warehousing, and 1,670 square metres for offices and shared areas.

The FCNQ said the added capacity will help it more efficiently supply its 14 Inuit member co-operatives across Nunavik, allowing for bulk purchasing, improved storage of fresh food and essential goods, and reduced risk of shortages caused by weather-related disruptions.

“On behalf of Nunavimmiut, we sincerely thank Indigenous Services Canada for the financial support provided for our major expansion project of our Baie–D’Urfé facilities, representing an investment of $26.5 million,” said Eluscar Kulu Tukalak, president of the FCNQ. “This transformative project will enable our cooperative network to optimize its supply, storage and warehousing capacities, while strengthening the integrated management of our operations to serve our member cooperatives, local organizations and the entire population of Nunavik’s 14 communities. This expansion will help solidify an essential, sustainable and high–performing service network for generations to come, while remaining true to our fundamental principle: working together and leaving no one behind –  Atautsikut/Leaving None Behind.”

“This expansion represents a significant step forward for the well-being of Inuit populations in Nunavik,” said Gull-Masty. “By supporting this project, we are helping to strengthen community resilience and reduce vulnerability to challenges related to the supply of essential goods and food. We remain fully committed to working with our partners to support northern economic development and to improve the living conditions of community members who live there.”