Latest news with #PJAkeeagok
CBC
3 days ago
- Business
- CBC
Nunavut enters into new 10-year agreement for air transportation services
The Government of Nunavut has entered into a 10-year agreement with Bradley Air Services — which operates as Canadian North — to cover various air transportation services, such as duty travel, medical travel and cargo. It also introduces "specific parameters" around family services travel that weren't in place in prior contracts, according to the government. "In Nunavut, air travel is a lifeline – it's our highway," said Nunavut Premier P.J. Akeeagok in a statement. "It connects our families, delivers essential goods and services, and keeps our communities strong. Reliable air service is the backbone of our territory's social and economic wellbeing, and it's vital to ensuring equity and opportunity for all Nunavummiut." According to the territorial government, the cost of the agreement will depend on the amount of travel for the various services. "The agreement details base prices for GN [Government of Nunavut] contracted air fares and freight with escalation measures for factors such as fuel, inflation and regulatory changes," reads a news release from the territory. The new agreement, which came into effect on July 15, consolidates air services for the territory's three regions under a single contract, as Canadian North subcontracts services in the Kivalliq region to Calm Air. The contract also includes additional provisions "for monitoring and managing airline performance and clarity on fare attributes for passengers travelling on GN contract fares." Earlier this year, the airline was sold to the Winnipeg-based Exchange Income Corporation, which owns several other regional airlines. The Makivvik Corporation and the Inuvialuit Development Corporation, the previous owners of Canadian North, announced the sale in February for the sum of $205 million. The Competition Bureau of Canada formally approved the sale earlier this month.
CBC
12-07-2025
- Health
- CBC
Nunavut Premier extends condolences after 3 deaths in Pond Inlet
Nunavut Premier P.J. Akeeagok is sharing his sympathies with the community of Pond Inlet, Nunavut, after three recent deaths. "Like many Nunavummiut, I am heartbroken by the tragic events that have shaken your community," Akeeagok said in a statement Saturday. The territory's coroner said Friday that his office is investigating the deaths, but that it would be inappropriate to share details at this point and that the report would become public once completed. Akeeagok said the Nunavut government has mobilized all available resources to those affected. Nunavut government spokesperson Casey Lessard said in an email that health workers and virtual mental health support is already being offered to affected residents. "To the residents of Pond Inlet: please know that the entire territory stands with you," Akeeagok said. "You are not alone. We will walk with you through this tragedy and support your healing in the days and weeks ahead." If you or someone you know in Nunavut is struggling, the following resources may help:
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Nunavut Premier extends condolences after 3 deaths in Pond Inlet
Nunavut Premier P.J. Akeeagok is sharing his sympathies with the community of Pond Inlet, Nunavut, after three recent deaths. "Like many Nunavummiut, I am heartbroken by the tragic events that have shaken your community," Akeeagok said in a statement Saturday. The territory's coroner said Friday that his office is investigating the deaths, but that it would be inappropriate to share details at this point and that the report would become public once completed. Akeeagok said the Nunavut government has mobilized all available resources to those affected. Nunavut government spokesperson Casey Lessard said in an email that health workers and virtual mental health support is already being offered to affected residents. "To the residents of Pond Inlet: please know that the entire territory stands with you," Akeeagok said. "You are not alone. We will walk with you through this tragedy and support your healing in the days and weeks ahead." If you or someone you know in Nunavut is struggling, the following resources may help: Nunavut Kamatsiaqtut Helpline (available 24 hours a day): 979-3333 in Iqaluit, or 1-800-265-3333 Healing by Talking counselling program: 1-888-648-0070 Government of Nunavut Employee and Family Assistance Program: 1-800-663-1142 Isaksimagit Inuusirmi Katujjiqatigiit (Embrace Life Council): 1-866-804-2782 Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 or text TALK to 686868 Hope for Wellness Helpline: 1-855-242-3310 Victim's Services: 1-866-456-5216 Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program: 1-800-464-8106
CTV News
08-07-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Nunavut Premier P.J. Akeeagok planning to leave politics to spend time with family
Nunavut Premier P.J. Akeeagok speaks during a press conference regarding the launch of the Arctic Foreign Policy during an event at Global Affairs Canada headquarters, in Ottawa, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick IQALUIT -- The premier of Nunavut announced Tuesday he will not seek re-election when his term as a member of the territorial assembly expires this fall. P.J. Akeeagok said in a statement that he's leaving politics to spend more time with his family and not for another political position. Akeeagok has served as premier since November 2021, when he was elected for the first time to the territorial assembly. He had previously been president of one of three regional Inuit associations in Nunavut. Akeeagok said his decision to leave politics comes after deep reflection and heartfelt conversations with his family. He said among the accomplishments that stand out for him is a devolution agreement that returned control of lands and natural resources to Nunavut. 'I am deeply grateful to my fellow premiers -- and especially to my fellow Northern premiers -- whose leadership has been supportive, inspiring and grounded in shared purpose,' he said. 'I am not stepping away for another role. I am stepping away because this is the right moment to spend more time with my young family -- time that public life often demands we set aside. I remain deeply committed to public service and to the future of this territory, and I look forward to continuing that service in new and meaningful ways, wherever that path may lead.' The election is set for Oct. 27. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 8, 2025.
CBC
29-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
Plan to build 3,000 homes in Nunavut still a success even if it falls short, housing corp. presidents says
Nunavut's premier and housing corporation president are defending the government's record on public housing following the release of a new Auditor General's report, which said Nunavummiut aren't being provided fair access. The report also stated there has been a lack of communication and misinformation about the targets outlined in the Nunavut 3,000 strategy — which aims to build 3,000 new homes by 2030. "We've been open and transparent in terms of showcasing what levels — they're all in different stages in terms of the construction phases," Premier P.J. Akeeagok said in the Nunavut Legislative Assembly this week. Nunavut Housing Corporation president and CEO Eiryn Devereaux said even if that target of 3,000 homes missed, the strategy will still be a success. "If we had kept doing everything the same, building a hundred units a year over nine years, we would have seen 1,000 units come into the territory," Devereaux said. "So we're talking about doubling and trying to triple the supply of much-needed housing." Devereaux said the 3,000 figure relates to units under construction since 2021, not since the launch of the strategy in 2022. "The 3,000 was always a target and it was always a target to drive change, drive the system, to say we have to do better, we have to do things differently because the status quo is just not working," he said. Devereaux said there are currently 440 units at "various stages of construction." "What's more important than people counting the numbers? It's the transformative change," he said. The Nunavut Housing Corporation accepted all of the report's 10 recommendations. More than 60 per cent of Nunavummiut rely on public housing, 45 per cent of which is overcrowded, according to Nunavut Housing Corporation data included in the auditor's report. The audit also found the housing corporation did not know whether publicly funded units were being allocated to applicants who needed them the most. Devereaux said they have a new maintenance management software system for local housing authorities, which should start rolling out later this year. "That'll help to centralize and to get data across all (local housing authorities) instead of them sort of doing it on their own in-house," he said. He said the housing corporation also plans to launch a new tenant relations and portfolio management system to take that burden off housing authorities too.
