Latest news with #Nunavik
CBC
5 hours ago
- Politics
- CBC
'It's got to stop': Family of men killed by Nunavik police calling on Quebec for reforms
David Annanack acknowledged that his son Mark R Annanack had broken some laws in the past, but said he had a good heart. He told Mark to stop evading police, but when his son did stop running, it all went horribly wrong. Mark died in their village of Kangiqsualujjuaq, Que. after a fatal police shooting in May. "He was waiting for the police to pick him up to bring him to jail. As soon as they saw him, they shot him two times … one by each of those police officers," Annanack said. Quebec's police watchdog, the Bureau des Enquêtes Indépendantes (BEI), is still investigating that shooting. Its preliminary findings at the time suggested a person reportedly exited a tent with a bladed weapon and police tried to use pepper spray and a taser to subdue him. The BEI's statement did not state how many shots were fired. Annanack has now co-signed a letter calling for changes within the Nunavik Police Service (NPS) and for a meeting with Quebec Premier François Legault. The letter comes off the back of a fatal police shooting in Inukjuak on July 17, marking the third such death in the region since November 2024 and 17th police-related death in Nunavik — a region of less than 15,000 — since 2017, according to the BEI's database. The other signatory is Garnet Papigatuk, who was shot by police in Salluit in November 2024. He survived, but his brother Joshua did not. That letter, also posted to Facebook on Tuesday, has three demands for the province, to disarm local police officers, launch a full public commission inquiry into the Nunavik Police Service, and create a team to work towards reconciliation. 'They're going to kill more' Inukjuak mayor Bobby Epoo said the recent death is still very fresh for the community. He said some family members, from nearby Sanikiluaq, NU, are still making their way to Inukjuak. "Other family members from our neighboring community arrived by boat over the weekend. They are still in shock. They're still mourning," he said. The body still needs to be sent south for an autopsy, before the family can make funeral arrangements. Epoo called on BEI to issue a public statement about its findings after its investigation into the death is complete. He also took aim at the training some officers get from the École Nationale de Police du Québec, which he believes does not account for the realities of the North and isn't culturally relevant. Above all, he wants to see police find ways to only use lethal force as a last resort. "Why do training on a taser and pepper spray if you're not going to use it," he wonders. The BEI said its current investigations do not suggest those deterrents were used in Inukjuak before police opened fire. With all the police-related deaths in the region, Annanack urged the province to meet his demands. "It's the only way to stop them. If they carry firearms on their side, on the streets, they're going to kill more. It's got to stop. We're not animals, we're not dogs," he said. Ongoing reviews In response to the letter from Annanack and Papigatuk, Quebec's Minister of Public Security François Bonnardel offered his thoughts to the affected families. But he reiterated the need for the BEI to complete its investigations. "The Government of Quebec is paying special attention to the erosion of a feeling of trust between the population of Nunavik and its police service," he said in a French statement. The Kativik Regional Government (KRG) has launched an independent audit on the Nunavik police, after the death of Annanack. The KRG has civilian oversight over NPS. "Being responsible for the administration of their police force and out of respect for their autonomy, the teams from the Ministry of Public Security will be available to support, advise, and facilitate the implementation of this independent audit by the KRG," Bonnardel said. KRG wouldn't speak directly to the letter, but issued a statement beforehand, offering its condolences and announcing some of the changes it's working toward, including a plan to end "a rotational system for NPS management." "These repeated fatal shootings deny Nunavimmiut the opportunity to heal and to feel fully safe in their communities," KRG vice chairperson Mary Arngaq said in the statement.
CBC
a day ago
- Politics
- CBC
Family of men killed by Nunavik police demand reform
The families of two people who were fatally shot by police in Nunavik have released a letter to Quebec's premier demanding change. Among the calls is to disarm police in the region. Samuel Wat has more.
CTV News
a day ago
- CTV News
Regional authority announces review of Nunavik police after third fatal shooting
The logo of the Nunavik Police Service is shown. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout - Nunavik Police Service (Mandatory Credit) MONTREAL — A regional authority in northern Quebec has launched a review into the Nunavik Police Service after the third fatal police-involved shooting in eight months. The Kativik Regional Government says three deadly incidents since November 2024 is 'three too many.' The authority says it is overseeing an audit of policing practices and policies to ensure community members can feel safe. The KRG says it will consult with local leaders as well as work on a plan to end a rotational system for police management that sees them fly in and out of the communities where they work. The most recent death happened last week when officers allegedly shot and killed a person in Inukjuak while responding to a call about a possible forcible confinement. A news release by the Quebec's police watchdog said a person at the home allegedly approached the officers with a knife. The KRG has extended condolences to the victim's family and says it is working with local authorities to co-ordinate grief and trauma counselling. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 22, 2025. By Morgan Lowrie, The Canadian Press
CBC
2 days ago
- Health
- CBC
Nunavik health board proposes hiring private staff to help curb tuberculosis outbreak
Facing an ongoing tuberculosis outbreak, the Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services in northern Quebec will soon present an action plan to try and curb infections. Most notably, the plan, which was shared with Radio-Canada prior to its release, calls for hiring agency health-care professionals to better support communities in the grips of the outbreak. Since January, 69 cases of the potentially deadly disease have already been reported, with outbreaks declared in six communities. If the trend continues, doctors have said they fear 2025 could see a new record of confirmed cases, surpassing the 95 that were reported in 2024. Earlier this year, communities tried to have the situation declared as a public health emergency. Outside support The board's plan aims to increase the capacity for handling patients and also find ways to bolster its response to the tuberculosis outbreaks with more staff. In the short term, the board wants to increase the number of clinic spaces in communities that can accommodate people with the infection. Communities have said they need more ways to try and isolate patients and prevent the spread of the disease. The region's lack of suitable housing — nearly half of residents live in overcrowded homes — has contributed to the outbreaks, and has also limited the ability to respond to them. The plan proposes hiring additional support staff through private agencies, but recognizes the need to find appropriate housing. Public health is also working to try and acquire more X-ray machines and corresponding analysis services to diagnose cases more quickly. According to the board, discussions are ongoing with Quebec's Ministry of Health to secure funding for the plan.
CBC
5 days ago
- CBC
Quebec police watchdog investigating fatal police shooting in Inukjuak, Que.
Thursday night's shooting marks the third fatal police shooting in Nunavik in eight months. Samuel Wat reports.
