Nunavik’s co-operative federation is set to more than double the size of its Montreal warehouse through a $26.5-million expansion project.

FCNQ-Ilagiisaq announced the plans at a Montreal news conference, outlining an expansion that will add approximately 104,959 square feet of storage and office space to the existing roughly 96,875-sf facility.

“We always say that this building is an extension of Nunavik, a 15th community with all the services that are given here,” FCNQ-Ilagiisaq General Manager Mark Blair told reporters.

Part of Canada’s Arctic, Nunavik is the northernmost region of Quebec. Nunavik should not be confused with Nunavut, the largest of Canada’s three territories.

The warehouse plays a central role in supplying Nunavik’s 14 communities, handling goods ranging from grocery items to vehicle parts and diesel fuel before shipment north. The expansion includes approximately 17,000 sf of additional refrigerated and freeze space; about 69,965 more warehousing space; and roughly 17,976 sf of additional offices and share areas, said the federal government.

The added capacity is expected to improve storage of essential goods, support bulk purchasing, and reduce the risk of shortages caused by weather-related delivery disruptions.

Blair said buying in bulk will also allow the organization to secure discounts that could help lower grocery costs for Nunavimmiut.

The federal government contributed about $1 million to the project through Indigenous Services Canada.

“We want to commit ourselves in the spirit of reconciliation, and of respect going forward,” said Ginette Lavack, parliamentary secretary to the minister of Indigenous services. “We will continue to collaborate with FCNQ and Indigenous partners to support economic development in the North and the province, and to improve the quality of life for all people who live there.”

FCNQ expects to use part of the expanded space during the fall sealift season, with full-capacity operations anticipated by September, Nunatsiaq News reported.

The sealift season refers to the period in which critical cargo supplies are flown into Nunavik’s coastal communities, running from July to October.

Pictured: FCNQ warehouse expansion area.

Photo: CNW Group Indigenous Services Canada