Maria Canton
Northern News Services

IQALUIT (Sep 27/99) - Very few people in Iqaluit know that Igloo Road runs behind the Post Office and Sinna Road runs past the courthouse and visitor centre -- according to a computerized map at the town office.

Iqaluit, the only capital in Canada that doesn't have street names, has seen the issue continually surface among councillors, MLAs and residents for many years.

But the April division, the town's building boom and the rapidly changing landscape continue to take precedence over how, what and when the streets should be named.

"Street names are on our list, but we have over 100 development permits and more than $12 million in capital projects underway right now," said Matthew Hough, project and development co-ordinator for the municipality.

"It's something that takes time and planning to do properly and right now we're very busy."

When the streets are named, house numbers will have to be changed to ensure they are consistent and in sequence, says Hough.

"It would be impractical to start naming the streets without consistent house numbering. In some areas we have 1600s on one side of the street and 400s on the other," he said.

The MLA for Iqaluit East, however, says that it's time to start posting signage not only for street names, but also historical sites, parks and points of interest as well.

"Hopefully, council will move forward on this, I think it's an issue that has slipped through the cracks. As a ratepayer and a resident I think we should have more signage to reflect our status," said Ed Picco.

"And with all of the new people in town it's confusing, even the house numbers are confusing."

Picco suggested public input when the time actually comes that street names are selected, perhaps in the form of a contest.

"Contests would generate interest from the community and the names could be honorifics, Northern based or Iqaluit," he said.

Street names do exist, however, for most of central Iqaluit and are listed on some maps at the town office.

Ring Road, for example, is recorded as Uivvaq Road and currently the town has a consultant working on a new general plan and zoning bylaw map.

"The updated maps will give us a base to work on other projects," said Hough.

"It's very important for us to have adequate maps and from there we can begin to look at what else we have to do."

The town has booklets available that list all of the house and building numbers in Iqaluit.