Iqaluit City council briefs

Brent Reaney Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Oct 25/04) - Iqaluit's John Howard Society is trying to understand why city council wants to review its financial statements.

The society recently received a letter stating that their usual six-month lottery license would be reduced to two months while city council looks into how the money is being spent.

"We were kind of shocked because we didn't know what the concerns were," said Leetia Nowdluk, the society's secretary and head bingo caller. "The society has nothing to hide."

Financial statements, prepared by the chartered accounting firm Mackay Landau, were presented to council Oct. 12.

Mayor Elisapee Sheutiapik said the request was simply to ensure the group was complying with all relevant bylaws and that there are other organizations being given the same treatment.

The matter is expected to be resolved prior to the expiration of the two-month license, Sheutiapik added.

One-stop support

It's not clear who is going to pay for it, or exactly how much it will cost, but Iqaluit's homeless shelter, food bank and soup kitchen may soon be under the same roof.

"It just seems like we're funding four or five different organizations trying to do the same thing," said Coun. Nancy Gillis.

Education Minister Ed Picco said he has discussed the idea with Bill Riddell of the Illitit Society and has even toured an available building that would accommodate all three operations.

Operation and maintenance costs have been estimated at between $100,000 and $120,000 per year but negotiations have not taken place, Picco said.

Completion dates

The new Qikiqtani Regional Hospital is scheduled for completion in December 2006, Education Minister Ed Picco told council during an address at the Oct. 12 meeting.

Joamie school construction is scheduled to finish at the end of March, but may be done two months early, Picco said.

Students might be able to move into the building by April or May but it will certainly be ready by September 2005, Picco said.

Walk which way

The department of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) is requesting a crosswalk from the Government of Canada building to the Subway building across the street.

The reasons cited are high traffic and the fact that many employees park across the street.

City councillor Nancy Gillis confirmed she has received a letter outlining INAC's request.

New City Hall

A lease for the engineering department's offices in the Subway building has been renewed by council for $51,718 a year, plus GST, but there has been talk of getting a new facility altogether.

"I think we should be looking at a new City Hall to accommodate all staff," said Coun. Stu Kennedy, adding that he has talked to other council members about the issue.