Garbage collection delayed in Iqaluit, but help is on the way

City reports a backup truck is being mobilized to help with collections

Garbage collection has been delayed in Iqaluit because cold weather has affected truck operations, the City of Iqaluit announced Wednesday. (File photo)

By Nunatsiaq News

Extreme cold weather has led to a delay in garbage collection in Iqaluit.

In a news release Wednesday, the city advised that plunging temperatures have affected its garbage truck operations.

It indicated a backup garbage truck is being mobilized and is expected to be operational sometime Wednesday or Thursday to assist with overdue collections.

The temperature in Iqaluit Wednesday was -28 C, with a wind chill of -32 C in the afternoon, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada. Thursday’s forecast includes a high of -27 C.

The release did not indicate how many homes or businesses have been affected by the delay.

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(20) Comments:

  1. Posted by John K on

    Is the cold weather also the excuse for the year and a half old seal carcass rotting away in our garbage shed?

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    • Posted by Own it on

      No, but not my job is, you see it , you own it. Year and a half of watching it rot away is your fault too

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      • Posted by John K on

        Like hell it is, lol.

        What an outlandish sentiment. So once I finish shoveling out the shed what am I to do with the city’s trash? Put it in the back of my suv and take it over to the dump? Who should I invoice afterwards? The city or Northview?

        I already do three people’s jobs at my own employer and get nothing extra for it. If the city wants me to do their work for them too they’ll have to pay me a premium. Demand has obviously outstripped supply and I’m tired of accommodating other people’s blatant laziness for free.

        This place is embarrassing.

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    • Posted by guidelines on

      The city put out guidelines for what will and will not be picked up from garbage bins. If the item(s) are not contained in a proper garbage bag, they will not be picked up. This is why there are so many overflowing bins around. People are using grocery bags for their garbage, the city won’t pick them up, the bins fill up, complaints are made, and eventually someone has to deal with their mess.

      https://www.iqaluit.ca/sites/default/files/psa_garbagebags_2014e.pdf

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      • Posted by John K on

        It won’t be me.

        If the city isn’t interested then the nasty slob who tossed it in there can deal with it. Or not; we have less than a year left here anyway so it will be some other unfortunate’s problem soon enough.

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        • Posted by Northern Guy on

          K we heard you loud and clear so just shut it and leave already. Nobody cares about your garbage woes or how much you hate this place.

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          • Posted by John K on

            You seem to care.

            I’ll keep on talking as long as I’m still here extracting value.

            And I’m well aware that no one cares about my garbage woes. That much is made abundantly clear by the layer of trash coating the city.

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            • Posted by Northerny Guy on

              By the amount of time you have spent writing garbage on here, you could have picked up some around town

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              • Posted by John K on

                I walked home last night with someone’s discarded mask and an old beer can in my coat pocket. Four times a year I make an afternoon of picking up other people’s garbage.

                I hope you do something similar and don’t just spew sanctimony on the internet.

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                • Posted by Unbelievable on

                  You may be spreading viruses and pathogens by being so careless in an attempt to seem like you actually care about the city instead of pointing out the obvious shortcomings of municipal services. Better off to just look at a rotting seal from now on. Who will pick up that mask and beer can a year from now anyways?

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                  • Posted by John K on

                    I really need someone to explain to me how I’M the irresponsible party in this scenario.

                    Someone throws a seal carcass in the communal garbage shed for a building with 30 units + a large office, the city neglects their duty to remove garbage and it seems to be everyone else’s problem.

                    I almost wish I was lacking enough to shirk off accountability like my compatriots. It’s almost enviable.

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  2. Posted by Old timer on

    Extreme cold LOL

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  3. Posted by Extreme-ly funny on

    Nunatsiaq, it would be best for you to keep the word ‘extreme’ in your pocket when referring to temperatures in the -28 to -32 range. And if you are quoting the city make sure everyone knows it.

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  4. Posted by lunchtime on

    Dump-cano is getting hungry… need more items to catch ablaze uncontrollably.

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  5. Posted by DudeTown on

    -28 is not extreme.
    It is very weird that Nunatsiaq has worded it that way.

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  6. Posted by Tommy on

    Sir Nunatsiaq,

    I am writing this letter to draw your attention notice that in Iqaluit garbage heaps and bins are lying uncleaned since the holy holiday celebrating the birth of the Good Sheperd, the Redeemer, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The garbage bins are overflowing and has become a feast for crows in Iqaluit. The trash is decaying and causing foul smell. Foul, foul smells. Germs and bacteria are breeding all over on and in the garbage which is causing illness among our most vulnerable residents as our homes are become waste management facilities.

    Therefore through your elite newspaper I would like to draw attention of the concerned authorities.

    Thank you
    Yours Faithfully

    Tommy

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  7. Posted by jim craimer on

    seems like an opportunity to operate private sector garbage and recycling operation…. as saying goes “one man’s trash is another mans treasure “.

    again the reliance on GOV’t in Nunavut is far to high… Nunavut needs more private sector operations

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  8. Posted by stephen day on

    Lived in Iqaluit for 2 years . The trash problem is unbeable. No one cares about it . Its disgusting when there is no snow cover in July and August. Its unbelievable. Its much colder here in Yellowknife and our trash services never ever get cancelled.

    Sort it out guys

    • Posted by John K on

      Have any room? I’m house trained.

      • Posted by stephen day on

        Its a free country. Not controlled by London anymore (apparently). Anyways, last time i was in Iqaluit one of my neighbours has whale bones in his garden, the smell and flies in the summer was unreal ! The city council did nothing despite numerous strongly worded letters ! That seal carcass situation is outrageous. Us North Canadians pay our taxes , now we want the world class public services we deserve , every day , year round , regardless of the “Extreme” cold . Aka -25’c . THe mind boggles

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