Iqaluit set to become the first and only city in Nunavut
Maria Canton
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (Nov 27/00) - Iqaluit is about to move up another rung on the ladder.
"The place of fishes" already has the distinction of being Nunavut's only town, and has all but been officially declared a city.
The formal change will likely be made Jan. 1.
Last spring, community government minister Jack Anawak, acting on a request from the Municipality of Iqaluit, said he would have the territorial capital change from a town into a city.
There was a 180-day waiting period for residents to voice any concerns. No one came forward to protest and the deadline passed long ago.
"The documentation is complete; now we're working with the municipality to determine what day the proclamation should be made," said Mike Ferris, the deputy minister of community government and transportation.
"As a city, Iqaluit will be in the same position as all of the other capital cities in Canada."
Iqaluit is already a member of the Canadian Capital Cities Organization.
Population of the city-in-waiting is almost 6,000 and wasn't a factor in gaining the new status, but property value was.
To achieve civic status, a municipal corporation must have a total property assessment of at least $200 million.
"It will probably be a very long and difficult road for any other community in Nunavut to become a city," said Ferris.
Rankin Inlet is the second largest community in the territory and it is currently contemplating becoming a town.
The status change doesn't give Iqaluit's municipal government any new responsibilities or powers and the change does not effect any employees or bylaws.
Rick Butler, the municipality's chief administrative officer, said that becoming a city is of little cost or inconvenience.
"We will slowly evolve from a town into a city and it will be at a fairly minimal cost to us," said Butler.
"If you notice, our crest doesn't say 'Town,' which eases the rush to get things changed."
As letterhead and business cards are used up, they will be replaced with ones that identify Iqaluit as a city. Iqaluit's fleet of vehicles will get by with "Municipality of Iqaluit" for some time to come.
The municipality operates on the calendar year, and officials hint that the change will be made Jan. 1.
