Latest news with #PamelaGross
CBC
4 days ago
- CBC
Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, taking measures to address concerns over drugs, community safety
An RCMP drug-detecting dog and a local alert ready system are some of the ideas that will be implemented in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, in response to growing concern about drugs and community safety in the hamlet. The hamlet held a town hall meeting earlier this week to talk about the issue. It lasted over three hours with almost 100 people in attendance, including Mayor Wayne Gregory, MLA and Nunavut's Minister of Justice Pamela Gross, and the acting commanding officer for the RCMP in Nunavut, Kent Pike. The meeting happened in the wake of a violent, drug-related assault that led to the medical evacuation of two men in Cambridge Bay last week. Four people were charged in connection with that incident. While the assault was not the focal point of conversation during the town hall, Pike said that it was the "tipping point" that pushed the meeting into motion. RCMP confirmed that the hamlet has recently seen both a rise in people reporting drug activity to the police and an increase in drug-related arrests. Gross said that there has been "a lot of distress, feelings of being unsafe, and people afraid in the community." "There are hard drugs in the community," Gross said. "It's affecting us negatively and we want tactful solutions to help solve the issue." During the town hall, potential solutions to solve the drug issue were discussed at length. Gross said community members offered insight into how to make the hamlet feel safe once again. One solution was to bring in an RCMP drug detection dog into the community, said Gross. The police dog will not be permanently stationed in the hamlet but will be brought in periodically to be used for "proactive work and deterrence," according to Pike. Currently, Nunavut does not have a police dog specifically dedicated to the territory. The hamlet will also implement an alert ready system, to send short notifications to residents' mobile devices if a police operation is taking place or if the hamlet is in lockdown. A system notification test will be conducted this Friday afternoon, said Gross. Issues in the hamlet will also be addressed by a local inter-agency team, which includes the Kitikmeot Inuit Association (KIA) and RCMP. The team will "be tasked with developing and implementing some of the measures that are needed to protect Cambridge Bay," said KIA in a Facebook post after the town hall. KIA says it's committed to finding solutions to "not only protect Cambridge Bay from the damage and fear caused by the free flow of narcotics and criminals into this community, but also develop measures that will protect all Kitikmeot communities." This week's town hall was an important step in addressing community safety, said Pike.
CBC
05-06-2025
- Business
- CBC
Nunavut gov't, teachers' union ratify new collective agreement
The government of Nunavut and the Nunavut Teachers' Association have ratified a new collective agreement with several incremental wage increases until mid-2028. In a news release Thursday, Nunavut's Department of Education announced the new agreement is effective from July 1 to June 30, 2028. Teachers will receive a nine per cent wage increase when the agreement comes into effect in July and another three per cent increase in July 2026 and July 2027. Teachers will also become eligible for bonuses for continuous service, like other employees for the territorial government, and enhanced pay for Inuktut language skills. Education Minister Pamela Gross said the new agreement ensures teachers have the support they need to deliver inclusive, culturally grounded education. "This agreement reflects our sincere appreciation for the teachers who guide and inspire Nunavut's students every day. By strengthening compensation, enhancing language support and recognizing long-term service, we're investing in the people at the heart of our schools," Gross is quoted as saying in the release. Justin Matchett, present of the Nunavut Teachers' Association, is quoted in the release as saying the agreement recognizes the government's and association's mutual respect for educators.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Nunavut gov't, teachers' union ratify new collective agreement
The government of Nunavut and the Nunavut Teachers' Association have ratified a new collective agreement with several incremental wage increases until mid-2028. In a news release Thursday, Nunavut's Department of Education announced the new agreement is effective from July 1 to June 30, 2028. Teachers will receive a nine per cent wage increase when the agreement comes into effect in July and another three per cent increase in July 2026 and July 2027. Teachers will also become eligible for bonuses for continuous service, like other employees for the territorial government, and enhanced pay for Inuktut language skills. Education Minister Pamela Gross said the new agreement ensures teachers have the support they need to deliver inclusive, culturally grounded education. "This agreement reflects our sincere appreciation for the teachers who guide and inspire Nunavut's students every day. By strengthening compensation, enhancing language support and recognizing long-term service, we're investing in the people at the heart of our schools," Gross is quoted as saying in the release. Justin Matchett, present of the Nunavut Teachers' Association, is quoted in the release as saying the agreement recognizes the government's and association's mutual respect for educators.
CBC
12-05-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Pamela Gross named Nunavut justice minister in cabinet shuffle
Nunavut Premier P.J. Akeeagok has reassigned some portfolios among his cabinet ministers. In a news release on Monday, the premier said Pamela Gross is now minister of justice, minister responsible for labour and minister responsible for the human rights tribunal. Gross, who's also the deputy premier, will remain as education minister in addition to her new portfolios. The justice, labour and human rights tribunal portfolios were previously held by Minister David Akeeagok. He now takes on two of Gross's previous portfolios, as human resources minister and minister responsible for the Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission, and also stays on as community services minister. The new assignments are effective immediately, the premier said. The announcement is the latest in a number of cabinet upheavals since P.J. Akeeagok was named premier in 2021. Six people have resigned from cabinet over that time, and the premier also faced a confidence vote in the legislature last fall. The next territorial election is just a few months away, on Oct. 27.
