Photo: What happened to our homelessness plan?

Iqaluit councillor Joanasie Akumalik scolds council and city administrators for not following through on their New Year’s commitment to help the city’s homeles, during a statement in city council chambers, March 29. “I keep bringing it up and I would like some progress to be made because its like we’re all silent again,” a frustrated Akumalik said in Inuktitut. “We can’t just let this go.” Akumalik pressed council to adopt a homeless policy in their strategic plan—the first comprehensive plan brainstormed by council since 2012. Akumalik’s comments follow a resolution city council made in January to take a tour of the local men’s shelter and decide what the city can do for the facility and its its non-profit Uquutaq Society. “I think this council has a role to play in protecting the lives of homeless people in this community,” Akumalik said in January. “I know that this issue is very complex and it involves a lot of stakeholders but I think this council has authority and power to move things forward.” (PHOTO BY STEVE DUCHARME)