Kevin Wilson
Northern News Services

Cambridge Bay (Dec 03/01) - The Nunavut government isn't the only institution taken with the idea of decentralizing its operations.

The umbrella group for the territory's 26 communities, the Nunavut Association of Municipalities, is moving its office and lone staffer from Iqaluit to Cambridge Bay.

The move out of the capital was prompted by a lack of staff accommodations in the capital, according to chief executive officer David General.

For six weeks, General tried to find accommodations in Iqaluit. "Literally, without a word of a lie, I got one phone call," he said.

The board's response was a simple order: "move to Cambridge Bay, which has immediate housing and office space," said General.

Keith Peterson, acting president of the association, confirmed that accommodations in the capital, "have been a problem since day one."

The logistics of planning the association's next annual general meeting was also a factor. It is scheduled to be held at the end of April 2002 in Cambridge Bay.