The airline had originally planned to opt out from delivering Christmas gifts donated by a B.C. charity to Baffin Island children but had a change of heart.

These volunteers in Iqaluit help sort presents sent over from Victoria, B.C. for Christmas every year. Louise Akearok, John Vander Velde, Manon LeBlanc, and Dorthe Kunuk said it took three days last year to get all the gifts in order. - photo courtesy of Doug Sage

The airline has covered the cargo costs of flying toys from Victoria, B.C. to Edmonton, AB., for the last 10 years.

Canadian North pays for the rest of the journey from Edmonton to Iqaluit.

This year, however, Air Canada told the Victoria-based Tunijjusiarut Foundation they could no longer carry out the service.

The foundation's members were left to scramble, searching for other alternatives.

"We have a contact at West Jet pushing to get the shipment approved from Victoria and there's the possibility Zellers can truck the gifts to Edmonton," said Tunijjusiarut board member Anne Heberger.

As Christmas approaches, the group goes to Zellers and shops for toys at discount rates. This year, they are donating about 1,000 gifts worth nearly $10,000.

Air Canada originally told Tunijjusiarut tighter cost controls were behind their decision to bail out of the gift drop. It costs about $20,000 to deliver the gifts.

However, on Dec. 4, Air Canada spokesperson Renee Smith-Valade contacted the foundation and confirmed the company would transport the gifts.

"This was simply a misunderstanding at the local level. We will be undertaking the delivery of the toys from Victoria to Vancouver and then on to Edmonton. We're delighted to do so," said Smith-Valade.

Heberger now hopes the gifts will get to Baffin Island quickly because volunteers in Iqaluit still need to sort them and send them off to their respective communities.

Doug Sage is the director of Health and Social Services for Iqaluit. He's also a volunteer who helps sort out the presents.

He has always been confident the gifts will reach Baffin Island, somehow.

"Last year, the gifts arrived in Iqaluit very late.

" It doesn't look like it will change this year, but we'll do our best," he said.