Latest
The newest approved briefings, decisions and useful notices.
Rankin Inlet boil-water advisory remained in effect in latest territorial update
Rankin Inlet residents were told to boil water used for drinking and other consumption for at least one full minute because of repair work on the utilidor, the Government of Nunavut says. A territorial update dated Sept. 17 still listed the advisory as active. Atiilu News Desk found no later Government of Nunavut notice lifting it.
Rankin Inlet’s new water plant could ease a major growth constraint—but key questions remain
A reported $57.3-million contract would replace Rankin Inlet’s aging water-treatment infrastructure. The project could improve treatment, storage and reliability, but key procurement records, design figures, schedules and long-term operating costs still need confirmation.
NIRB asks for more time to finish Grise Fiord water-licence screening
The Nunavut Impact Review Board has asked the federal minister for more time to complete its screening of a proposed Type A water-licence amendment for Grise Fiord’s new water-treatment plant. The request is not approval of the licence or a decision on the project. Source↗
CRTC extends deadline for proposed Indigenous broadband funding stream
The CRTC has extended the deadline to comment on its proposed Indigenous stream of the Broadband Fund to Dec. 1, 2026 at 8 p.m. Eastern time. The proceeding could matter to Nunavut Inuit organizations, governments and communities seeking a funding process better suited to Indigenous-led internet and cellphone projects, but it is a consultation, not a funding call or approval. Source↗
Statistics Canada finds Inuit youth had different court outcomes than White youth in national study
A new Statistics Canada study found Inuit youth accused in Canadian youth courts were less likely than White youth to receive a guilty decision and more likely to have a case withdrawn, dismissed or discharged. The data are national, not Nunavut-specific: Nunavut is grouped with British Columbia, Yukon and the Northwest Territories for the study’s regional results. Source↗
WSCC launches dedicated employer-support team for Nunavut businesses
The Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission says Nunavut employers now have a dedicated support team for help with business registration, clearance letters, payroll reporting, WSCC Connect and online injury or incident reports. The change is a service option, not a change to workplace-safety law, compensation coverage or employer rates. Source↗
Iqaluit hydro project files new response as NIRB screening remains active
Nunavut Nukkiksautiit Corporation filed a response on Oct. 8 to a Nunavut Impact Review Board information request about its proposed Iqaluit hydroelectric project. The filing is part of an active environmental screening, not approval to build. NIRB had also asked the federal minister for more time to complete the screening, and the registry does not show a decision on that request.
NIRB opens public comments on Resolute Bay ammunition-contaminant study
The Nunavut Impact Review Board has opened public commenting in its screening of a Defence Research and Development Canada proposal to study possible ammunition contaminants at and near the small-arms range east of Resolute Bay. The screening is not an approval or finding that contamination has occurred. Source↗
Nanisivik exploration proposal moves to response stage in NIRB screening
The Nunavut Impact Review Board says Honey Badger Silver Inc.’s proposed Nanisivik exploration program remains in active screening and moved to an “Opportunity to Respond” stage on Oct. 1. The step follows comments from the Qikiqtani Inuit Association, the Government of Nunavut and Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada; it is not approval to begin work. Source↗
NWMB’s Oct. 21 Pangnirtung meeting lists shrimp, narwhal and Tallurutiup Imanga items
The Nunavut Wildlife Management Board is scheduled to meet in Pangnirtung on Oct. 21. Its public meeting materials list items on a northern shrimp precautionary-approach framework, adaptive narwhal management in Northern and Eastern Baffin Island, and the Tallurutiup Imanga National Marine Conservation Area. The posted records show matters before the board, not final decisions. Source↗
Nunavut’s latest bird-flu notice calls Frobisher Bay findings suspected, despite earlier confirmed notice
The Government of Nunavut’s newest avian-influenza advisory says four bird species found dead near Frobisher Bay and Iqaluit between Sept. 4 and 11 remain suspected cases pending confirmatory tests. That conflicts with a Sept. 29 government notice that described a confirmed case in four species harvested in the same area and time period. Until the government clarifies the records, residents should not treat the local finding as newly or conclusively confirmed. Source↗
Arviat gale warning and Baker freezing-spray warning in effect
Environment Canada has a gale warning in effect for Arviat waters and a freezing-spray warning for Baker waters on Saturday, Oct. 17. Rankin waters have no warning, but winds are forecast to reach 30 knots Saturday evening and seas to build to three metres Sunday morning.
Taloyoak told to boil drinking water after treatment-plant pump failure
Taloyoak residents must boil water used for drinking and other consumption for at least one full minute after a pump failed at the community’s water treatment plant. The Government of Nunavut says the advisory remains in place until further notice.
Court approves Baffinland sale process, with restructuring officer to choose winning bid
An Ontario judge has approved a court-supervised process to seek a sale, investment or recapitalization for Baffinland and the Mary River Mine. The court-appointed chief restructuring officer, not Baffinland’s shareholder-appointed operating committee, will have final authority over key sale-process decisions. Any eventual transaction will still need court approval. Source↗
Naujaat wind warning remains in effect Friday afternoon
Environment Canada’s yellow wind warning remains active for Naujaat as of 12:43 p.m. CDT Friday. Gusts above 90 km/h are expected to continue before easing early this afternoon, and local utility outages remain possible. Source↗
Frobisher Bay has no marine warning Friday, but flurries may cut visibility to one mile
Environment Canada’s Friday morning forecast shows no marine watches or warnings for Frobisher Bay, after a freezing-spray warning was in effect Thursday. Mariners can still expect flurries, visibility as low as one mile, northwest winds rising to 20 knots Saturday evening and one-metre seas. The ice forecast lists bergy water. Source↗
QEC seeks bids to design and install emergency generator in Sanirajak
Qulliq Energy Corporation has issued RFP 2026112 for the design, installation, testing and commissioning of an emergency generator in Sanirajak. Proposals close Nov. 23 at 4 p.m. Eastern time. The posting is a call for bids, not a contract award or confirmation of a construction schedule. Source↗
Nunavut seeks residents’ input for planned alcohol-awareness campaign
Nunavummiut aged 16 and older can complete a short anonymous questionnaire until Nov. 21 to help the territorial government develop an alcohol-awareness campaign. Paper copies are available through community health representatives, and Health Department staff are scheduled to distribute questionnaires in Gjoa Haven and Kugaaruk later this month. Source↗
Pauktuutit seeks nominations for Inuit Women of the Year awards by Oct. 30
Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada is accepting nominations until Oct. 30 at 5 p.m. Eastern time for its 2026 Inuk Woman of the Year and Young Inuk Woman of the Year awards. Anyone can nominate an eligible Inuk woman living in Canada, including women from Nunavut. Source↗
Auditor General lists Nunavut drinking-water audit for 2027
The Office of the Auditor General of Canada has listed “Management of Drinking Water — Nunavut” as an upcoming territorial audit, with publication anticipated in 2027. The office has not yet published the audit’s scope, objective, departments under review or a firm release date. Source↗
Ottawa commits $85.5M for Rankin Inlet Airport runway and taxiway rehabilitation
The federal government announced $85.5 million on Sept. 28 to rehabilitate pavement at Rankin Inlet Airport, including its runway, taxiways and apron. The announcement came during the official opening of the new terminal, which had already begun handling flights in June. No construction schedule, contractor or tender has been announced.
GN and NTI endorse renewed partnership approach, but give no action plan
The Government of Nunavut and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated say their joint Nunavut Partnership Committee has endorsed a renewed approach for targeted action on shared priorities. The Oct. 15 announcement does not identify the actions, timelines, funding, targets or reporting schedule, so residents cannot yet measure what will change in communities. Source↗
Iqaluit targets May 2027 for new General Plan and zoning bylaw
Iqaluit staff say draft replacement planning rules are expected to be published for council and public comment in December, with a public hearing planned for March and final adoption targeted for May 2027. The timeline is a staff update for the Oct. 20 Governance and Priorities Committee meeting, not an approved bylaw or final council decision. Source↗
CMHC says Iqaluit rental housing remained exceptionally tight as public-housing waitlist topped 400 households
CMHC’s July 29 Northern Housing Report says Iqaluit’s rental market remained exceptionally tight in 2025. It reports that the public-housing waitlist exceeded 400 households in February 2025, even as 36 public-housing units were vacant and some units needed major repairs. The report expects more private-market homes to be completed in 2026, but says this is unlikely to close the North’s per-person housing-supply gap.
Aqqusariaq recovery centre enters final construction and operating phase
Nunavut says Aqqusariaq, a planned 24-bed addictions and trauma recovery centre in Iqaluit, is nearing substantial completion. The centre is not open yet, and the Health Department is still finalizing a funding agreement with a new Inuit-led not-for-profit established by Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated to operate it.
Nunavut fuel official scheduled to testify at Commons hearing on Northern affordability
Nathaniel Hutchinson, director of the Government of Nunavut’s Petroleum Products Division, is scheduled to appear before the House of Commons Indigenous and Northern Affairs Committee on Tuesday, Oct. 20, as it continues its study of affordability challenges in Northern Canada. The hearing is scheduled, not a funding announcement or policy decision. Source↗
Coast Guard says first security patrols completed near Cambridge Bay; $25M icebreaker charter runs to Nov. 30
The Canadian Coast Guard says two of its icebreakers have completed its first maritime security patrols in Arctic waters near Cambridge Bay. A related federal contract record shows Ottawa awarded Qikiqtaaluk Horizon Arctic Services Limited Partnership up to $24,999,999.99 for a fully crewed Polar Class 3 icebreaker for the 2026 Arctic operating season, ending Nov. 30. The contract was awarded July 30, not this month. Source↗ Source↗
Nunavut employment rose by 700, but unemployment reached 11% in September
Nunavut had an estimated 15,400 people employed in the three months ending in September, 700 more than a year earlier. But the number of unemployed people also rose by 500 to 1,900, lifting the unemployment rate to 11.0%.
Nunavut’s latest audited accounts show $196.9M surplus, while health spending ran $198.5M over budget
Nunavut’s newest available audited public accounts, for the year ended March 31, 2025, show a $196.9-million surplus on $3.47 billion in revenue and $3.27 billion in expenses. The surplus does not mean the government had that amount of new money available to spend: it was driven largely by revenue above budget, including $60.9 million from a tobacco settlement. Health spending reached $917.7 million, $198.5 million over budget, while Family Services and Housing also exceeded their budgets.
Gale and freezing-spray warnings remain in effect for parts of eastern Nunavut
Environment Canada’s updated Sunday morning marine forecast keeps gale and freezing-spray warnings in effect for West Clyde, Cumberland and the northern half of West Brevoort. Frobisher Bay has no marine warning, but northwest winds of 25 knots and flurries are forecast before winds ease this evening. Source↗
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