Safety a concern in Pangnirtung after increase in RCMP calls: MLA
Johnny Mike calls on government, RCMP, Canada Post to prevent alcohol and drugs from arriving in community
Safety concerns related to a recent spike in calls to the Pangnirtung RCMP detachment prompted the community’s MLA Johnny Mike to raise the issue in the legislative assembly on Tuesday. (Photo by Daron Letts)
Pangnirtung MLA Johnny Mike is calling for the territorial government to help stop alcohol and drugs from entering his community after calls to Pangnirtung RCMP went up in August.
He made the comments Tuesday in the legislative assembly.
Pangnirtung MLA Johnny Mike tabled in the legislative assembly on Monday a monthly RCMP report that shows a high rate of alcohol-related calls for service. (Photo by Daron Letts)
“The safety of the people in our Nunavut communities should get more attention,” Mike said.
He had tabled the hamlet’s September RCMP detachment report, which shows 160 calls for service in August, the most for any single month this year. The number represents almost 14 per cent of the total 1,166 calls for service so far in 2026.
Mike asked Justice Minister George Hickes how the territorial government can better collaborate with RCMP and Canada Post to stem the flow of illegal substances into the hamlet.
Hickes described Mike’s comments as “very good questions at a very good time.”
The justice minister is working with federal Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree about the issue and the pair spoke just last week, Hickes said.
Currently, one inspector is stationed in Montreal to identify illegal parcels destined for Nunavut, Hickes said.
“That’s not enough,” Hickes said, adding that parcels arrive through hubs in other centres.
Bootlegging remains a problem in the communities, Hickes and Mike both agreed.
Hickes suggested residents can help RCMP to shut down bootleggers by serving as the RCMP’s eyes and ears.
He called on Nunavummiut to notify their local detachment whenever they become aware of illicit activities, including bootlegging, even when those activities involve neighbours, friends or family members.
“It takes a whole community to discourage bootlegging,” Hickes said.
Education is also key, he added.
“It’s not just the RCMP that have a role to play,” Hickes said. “It’s the community members themselves, whether it be through hamlet officials — even down to the schools.”
Mike agreed, but emphasized that authorities are the ones who can take a “proactive” approach.
“The RCMP and the government have a big role to play,” Mike said.
The force is not sure why August was so busy, said RCMP spokesperson Sgt. George Henrie in an email Monday.
“While there has been an increase in calls for service, the RCMP is unable to identify a specific reason for the increase, as call volumes are fluid and change consistently,” he said.
The Pangnirtung detachment is currently staffed by one sergeant and four constables.
While there are vacant positions within the detachment, relief members from outside the community fill in when needed, he added.
Detachment commander Chief Supt. Kent Pike will visit the community later this month, Henrie said.
Blaming drugs and alcohol is too easy. The underlying root causes that lead people to abuse drugs and alcohol are really what need to be addressed.
It is also time to accept that dry communities dont do anything but raise cost and demand. Drugs and alcohol aren’t going anywhere, regardless of enforcement levels.