The Government of Nunavut issued a Sept. 18 news release saying interior work, landscaping and exterior finishes at Aqqusariaq are nearing completion. It says the project is expected to reach substantial completion in the coming weeks, after which operational preparations will continue. The planned centre would offer inpatient addictions and trauma recovery services, counselling, on-the-land programming and aftercare for people from across Nunavut. Source↗

Aqqusariaq is intended to provide addictions and trauma recovery care in Nunavut rather than requiring people to leave the territory for treatment. The release confirms tangible construction progress, but it does not mean the facility is open or ready to accept patients.

The key outstanding step is a funding agreement between the Health Department and the NTI-established Inuit-led not-for-profit that is intended to operate the centre. The government has not published an opening date, intake process, referral requirements, staffing plan or service start date.

The facility has 24 beds. The Government of Nunavut says Indigenous Services Canada has an ongoing $9.7-million annual commitment toward operations. That operating support was previously announced as part of the 2023 construction agreement; the new release does not announce new federal funding. The construction project was previously described as an $83.7-million investment involving federal and territorial funding. Source↗