The Board of Directors of Ilagiisaq (ᐃᓚᒌᓴᕐᒃ), the Fédération des coopératives du Nouveau-Québec and the delegates of the 14 member cooperatives met in Tasiujaq from April 20^th to the 23^rd for the 55^th Annual General Meeting of the Nunavik cooperative movement. This meeting included project and activities progress from Ilagiisaq departments, divisions and subsidiaries for 2020 as well as financial results.
 

“Despite the challenges created by the pandemic, our activities generated surpluses that will continue to benefit the members of our cooperatives through rebates and improved services” explains Ms. Mary Johannes, president of the federation. Despite a few services seeing a decrease in activities due to the pandemic, the difference is absorbed by the positive numbers posted by other Ilagiisaq divisions and subsidiaries, which showed continued growth in 2020. The General Assembly unanimously approved a return and dividend of $14.5M to the member cooperatives.
 

The annual general meeting was able to be held in person in compliance with public health rules. Over the past year, the cooperatives and their federation mobilized to ensure the safety of Nunavimmiut and quickly integrated new health standards.

 

Recognizing the success of collective Inuit entrepreneurship
 

The Assembly awards two trophies annually to the member cooperatives with the best financial indicators. The Peter Murdoch Trophy for Best Performance Co-op for 2020 was awarded to the Kangiqsualujjuaq cooperative. The Most Improved Co-op Trophy for 2020 was also awarded to the Kangiqsualujjuaq cooperative.
 

For Ms. Johannes, these recognition initiatives are important. “It’s in our values to highlight successes in order to encourage the movement to grow” and then reminds us how humbly honoured Ilagiisaq members were that their federation received the award for Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada’s 2020 Large Co-op of the Year.
 

In closing, the Board of Directors held a meeting for the election of the Executive Committee at the end of the General Assembly. Mary Johannes, from Kuujjuaq, was elected by acclamation as President. The following members were elected following a vote or by acclamation: Charlie Tukkiapik, from Quaqtaq, as Vice-President for Ungava; Sarollie Weetaluktuk, from Inukjuak, as Vice-President for Hudson Bay. And the two Executive members are Kulu Tukalak, from Puvirnituq, and Aquuja Qisiik, from Kangiqsujuaq.

 

About Ilagiisaq-FCNQ
 

Founded and managed by Nunavimmiut, the 14 cooperatives of Nunavik offer a multitude of services to the community: general store, hotel, cable TV distribution, gas station, fuel distribution, etc.
 

Created in 1967 to supply the Nunavik cooperative movement with effective means of ensuring its growth, the federation, Ilagiisaq, supports its member cooperative through: purchasing, training, mechanical maintenance, technical and management support. It is also active in various economic sectors such as marketing of Inuit art, energy and transport.
 

Ilagiisaq’s subsidiaries include Nunavik Petro Inc., Schefferville Petro Inc., FCNQ Construction Inc., Taqramut Transport Inc., Transport Katinniq Inc., Transport Padlayat Inc., Voyages FCNQ Inc., Piqutivut Rentals Inc., Tarquti Energy Inc. – and its limited partnership Pétroles Naskinnuk LP, located in Schefferville.

 

To get an overview of the Nunavik cooperative movement:

https://www.facebook.com/455534244475061/videos/2618838078382271/

Or visit us online at www.fcnq.ca

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Information :
Caroline Mailloux
Communications and Public Relations
Ilagiisaq – Fédération des coopératives du Nouveau-Québec
caroline.mailloux@fcnq.ca
514 457-9371 ext. 436

 

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