Stephanie McDonald
Northern News Services
Monday, April 16, 2007

IQALUIT - Starting June 3, Canadian North will expand services into Nunavut's Kitikmeot region, flying to Kugaaruk, Taloyoak, Kugluktuk, and Gjoa Haven from Yellowknife.

Canadian North saw an opportunity to expand into this market after one of the region's previous airline providers pulled out.

Kenn Borek and Canadian North were previously in partnership, co-ordinating flight times between Cambridge Bay and the four other Kitikmeot communities.

"When Borek pulled out, it gave us an opportunity to say either we do it ourselves or we go and find someone else to do it," said Christy Sinclair, director of Northern business development with NorTerra Group, owners of Canadian North.

"Ultimately it was our wish to be able to one day service all the Northern communities."

There will be flights to Gjoa Haven daily, Taloyoak and Kugluktuk six days a week, and Kugaaruk four days a week.

Canadian North's Dash 8 combi aircraft will service the Kitikmeot communities. The plane can carry 21 passengers and 3,000 pounds of cargo.

Jobs as agents and flight attendants will be created for people in the area. Providing employment and training opportunities is a mandate of NorTerra.

Feedback from the four communities has been positive, according to Sinclair.

"The majority of the people that live in these communities are our beneficiaries, so that is a huge component to be able to have your own airline servicing your own people," Sinclair said.

NorTerra is jointly owned by Nunasi Corporation, representing the Inuit of Nunavut, and the Inuvialuit Development Corporation, which represents the Inuvialuit of the Western Arctic.

Canadian North had not returned phone calls by press time.