NHSP Information

Nunavut Harvesters Support Programs (NHSP) is to relieve poverty among the Inuit of Nunavut and to preserve and advance Inuit harvesting culture, heritage and traditional ways of life in accordance with the Nunavut Harvester Support Program Policy (the “NHSP Policy”) in need with funding assistance to purchase harvesting equipment.

The NHSP Harvesting Equipment Program provides Inuit in Nunavut who are in need with funding assistance to make harvesting equipment and tools more affordable so they can participate in traditional harvesting activities. An applicant is considered in need if they need financial assistance to purchase harvesting equipment required to support their family and/or community.

Funding will be provided in five areas:

1. Funding assistance for the purchase of small harvesting equipment
2. Insurance coverage for small equipment
3. Funding assistance for the purchase of safety equipment
4. Insurance coverage for safety equipment
5. Insurance coverage for large harvesting equipment

To be eligible for funding assistance you must meet the following criteria:

• An Inuk 16 years of age or older and enrolled in the Nunavut Agreement;
• A harvester who engages in traditional harvesting activity
• Where applicable, the applicant’s household has not exceeded the annual funding limit in the applicable fiscal year. For the purpose of this section, a household includes the applicant’s legal or common-law spouse and any minor children. An applicant’s parents, children or other family members or relatives living in the same house who are 16 years of age or older are considered separate households.

Additionally, you must confirm that you:

• Need financial assistance to purchase required harvesting equipment

NHSP’s Harvesting Equipment Program provides funding assistance for equipment required to carry out hunting, fishing, gathering and/or trapping activities. This includes the following:

1. Small Equipment:75% of the equipment costs (including shipping costs) to a maximum of $1,000 per request and $2,000 per household each year for small harvesting equipment/tools regularly used for harvesting purposes. List of eligible small equipment may be prescribed in the Harvesting Equipment Program Guidelines. Only one application can be accepted for each equipment purchase.
2. Insurance Coverage for Small Equipment: for eligible small equipment regularly used for harvesting purposes, 75% of insurance premium to a maximum of $500 per equipment and $1,500 per household each year. Only one application can be accepted for each insurance policy each year.
3. Safety Equipment: 75% of the equipment costs (including shipping costs) to a maximum of $1,000 per request and $2,000 per household each year for safety equipment regularly used for harvesting purposes. List of eligible safety equipment may be prescribed in the Harvesting Equipment Program Guidelines. Only one application can be accepted for each equipment purchase.
4. Insurance Coverage for Safety Equipment: for eligible safety equipment regularly used for harvesting purposes, 75% of insurance premium to a maximum of $500 per equipment and $1,500 per household each year. Only one application can be accepted for each insurance policy each year.
5. Insurance Coverage for Large Harvesting Equipment: 75% of insurance premium to a maximum of $1,000 per equipment and $2,000 per household each year for Large Harvesting Equipment regularly used for harvesting purposes. “Large Hunting Equipment” refers to snowmobiles, ATVs or UTVs (Side-by-sides), boats and outboard motors with an initial purchase price of $5,000 or more. List of eligible large harvesting equipment may be prescribed in the Harvesting Equipment Program Guidelines. Only one application can be accepted for each insurance policy each year.

Funding assistance will be provided as follows:

• If you have purchased your equipment, in the form of a payment to you to partially reimburse the purchase costs;
• In the case of a partner program with a northern retailer on small/safety equipment, in the form of final payment after you have paid the down payment and the remaining balance minus the NHSP portion

NHSP will send you confirmation when your application form is received. NHSP will review your application for accuracy, and verify you meet the eligibility requirements. If your application is incomplete, NHSP will return it to you with a request for more information.

NHSP may work with your Community Liaison Officer and/or local Hunter and Trappers Organization (HTO) to determine whether or not your application will be approved for funding and will notify you of our decision within 30 business days after all information on your application is complete. If your application is approved, the decision will be publicized through our website, community posting and notices to HTO.

If your submission is approved, instructions on how to receive the fund for your purchase will be provided to you.