Montreal, Qc. (May 08, 2025) – Kativik Ilisarniliriniq has successfully negotiated a landmark agreement with the union representing its professionals, as part of the renewal process for the 2020-2023 collective agreement. We were informed that the agreement was ratified by union members on May 6, 2025, with 95% in favour. The parties can now begin work on the final texts, so that the 2023-2028 collective agreement can come into force as soon as possible.

“We are building on the unprecedented administrative measures introduced during the 2022 collective agreement negotiations. Our focus now is on retention and attraction benefits to ensure we remain a competitive employer in the education sector,” stated Mrs. Harriet Keleutak, Director General of Kativik Ilisarniliriniq.

This agreement will allow Kativik Ilisarniliriniq to implement new administrative measures in addition to the existing retention premium for locally hired staff, transportation benefits (including outings on the land for Nunavik residents), food transportation, and housing allowance for locally hired staff. For all Nunavik-based professionals the agreement features a generous signing bonus of $7,500 and a new yearly bonus of $2,600 for returning employees. For all professionals who will meet the requirements, regardless of where their position is based, a substantial enhancement of the retention premium was introduced (up to $12,000); this premium is now scaled according to years of employment, rather than organized in sectors.

The well-being and safety of students is a priority for us. We are happy that new provisions incorporated in the collective agreement will enhance our ability to conduct criminal background checks on professionals during their employment. This will complement the criminal background checks that are always conducted upon hiring.

Negotiations with the union representing support staff and teachers are still ongoing. “We are hopeful that a mutually satisfying agreement will also be reached with them as soon as possible. We are committed to providing comparable working conditions to all our unionized staff and have conducted negotiations in a manner that upholds this principle,” Mrs. Keleutak added.

About us:

Kativik Ilisarniliriniq, the school board of Nunavik, was created in 1975, under the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement (JBNQA). Since 1978, it has been the exclusive provider of educational services to all Nunavik residents. Under the JBNQA, the school board also acts as an institution with unique powers and jurisdiction geared towards the protection and development of the Inuit language, culture, and way of life, through the delivery of tailored educational services and programs. The education programs developed by the school board are offered in all schools of the 14 Nunavik communities, in Inuktitut as first language and in French and English as second languages. The school board operates 18 primary and secondary schools as well as 6 adult education centres. For more information, visit kativik.qc.ca.

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For information:

Jade Duchesneau-Bernier
Communications Coordinator
514-482-8220 ext. 309
publicrelations@kativik.qc.ca