Iqaluit extends state of emergency
Council votes to keep additional powers to fight COVID-19 for another week
Iqaluit city council voted Tuesday to extend the state of local emergency it declared a week ago. The move gives the city additional powers to fight the spread of COVID-19. (File photo)
Iqaluit will remain under a state of local emergency for up to another week after city council extended the declaration it first passed a week ago.
Council voted during its meeting Tuesday to extend the status that gives the city additional powers it doesn’t normally have.
Under Nunavut’s Emergency Measures Act, the state of emergency declaration allows the city “to do any act and take any measure the municipal corporation considers necessary,” according to a news release the city issued Tuesday night.
Declaring a state of emergency gives the city powers to support compliance efforts, to take additional measures to support its vulnerable population, and to ensure water security measures are in place, the release states.
Councillors approved the first state of emergency on May 3 because of the transmission of COVID-19 in the city. Iqaluit’s first-ever case was confirmed on April 14, after the territorial capital avoided the potentially fatal respiratory illness for more than a year.
Nunavut’s capital has been dealing with an outbreak of the disease for nearly a month. On Tuesday, the Government of Nunavut reported 75 active cases in Iqaluit, which is now the only community in the territory with confirmed active cases.
The extension is effective as of 12 a.m. on Wednesday and remains in effect for seven days unless it is cancelled or extended sooner than that, the city’s release states.
That’s good and all but I’m a little curious as most folks are on what the city has done to help with the additional powers to fight Covid?
It’s nice to give yourself a pat on the back but seriously what have you done?
Applied for Federal/ GN for emergency funds to combat Covid?
Communication is a little bit lacking here.
When I tried to call by-law when witnessing covid infraction, they said call the police. I could sure use some help with my water bill as I am working from home and washing my hands each time i have to go out. Reduce the water rates during this period so you can be useful Mayor and Council.
Joe Jr Savikataaq for Mayor of Iqaluit
Arrest the people obviously holding parties. Hold them for 2.5 weeks. This will drag on and on if there are no drastic actions towards the spreading the virus.
a -Monitor the hang out places such as the Northmart entrance and Ventures.
b -Monitor the line ups at the B&W store, if not have the GN do that.
c -Hand out pamphlets at the B&W store and the stores including the Income support office to hold off on parties in plain language in Inuktitut not just merely a poorly translated version.
d -Limit the beer per individual sale.
Enough is enough.
Hire extra Bylaw officers to work in the evenings and night. Plant RCMP in multiplex housing areas all night.
Ppl never listen! Those who don’t listen yet want us to listen should Learn to Listen! Time to wear Rubber Gloves to open any public places from now on and with mask…sigh.
Extra powers?
.
Like the power to answer their own telephone?
Like the power to respond to messages?
Like the power to accept payment of $500 for one month water bill?
.
Yes, they seem to need those powers.
Close the B&W if the Government of Nunavut is serious about the lockdown they are imposing. Provide food hampers to the people on Social Assistance so they don’t go home to home looking for food to eat. Bring in the Army reserve to enforce the lockdown because there is not enough manpower and it will not be safe for local RCMP and the local help, whomever tries to enforce the Lockdown.