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NUNAVUT - Tagak Curley, minister of health and social services, announced Qikiqtani General Hospital is once again seeking accreditation.

Accreditation Canada has been invited to begin gauging procedures and practices at the hospital, which has had a number of improvements since 2005, Curley told the legislative assembly on Mar. 19.

Paul Okalik, left, member for Iqaluit West, and Johnny Ningeongan, member for Nanulik, have a chat before the legislative assembly reconvened March 17. - Carolyn Sloan/NNSL photo

"The older Baffin Regional Hospital needed better risk management and quality control systems," said the minister. "Today, we have a new facility and have invested $2.3 million toward rectifying the situation."

He also said 26 key positions in nursing, emergency and the operating room had been filled and the hospital now had updated its policies and procedures, including developing a disaster and emergency plan and an infection control manual.

"It is a top priority for the department to attain accreditation status," said Curley. "We want our clients, staff and the general public to recognize that we are a modern hospital and are able to meet national standards."

Emergency plan for air service

At the Jan. 26 sitting of the legislature, Ron Elliott, member for Quttiktuq, asked if the government had a contingency plan in case the single airline serving Grise Fiord, or any other hamlet, stopped its service to the community.

In response to a question posed during the last session, Economic Development and Transportation minister Peter Taptuna said both the territorial and federal governments had contracts which obligate airlines to maintain a certain level of service to communities in Nunavut.

"I can advise all members that their communities will continue to receive air services," he said.

"These contracts for the delivery of mail, delivery of food mail and medical travel on a scheduled airline form the basis of the air carrier's viability.

"Any withdrawal of service we have seen has been by a company that does not have any of these contracts in place, where the carrier's revenues are dependent on discretionary travel by people and businesses."

New Qulliq president

Hunter Tootoo, minister responsible for Qulliq Energy Corporation, told the assembly a new president had been appointed to the corporation.

On March 13, the premier announced Peter Mackey of Iqaluit would be appointed to the position, effective April 1.

"Mr. Mackey brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in the power generation and utilities fields covering almost two decades," said Tootoo. "Mr. Mackey has been with the corporation for many years and has gone through its various stages of growth from the days when it was called the Northwest Territories Power Corporation, to Nunavut Power Corporation, and now to Qulliq Energy Corporation."