Iqaluit low-barrier shelter is shaping up

Construction is underway Tuesday on Uquutaq Society’s new 44-bed low-barrier shelter in Iqaluit. It will replace the current 17-bed shelter on the Road to Apex. The frame of the new building is up on the former site of Nunavut Country Food at 158 Nipisa St. and the project is expected to be completed in 2026. (Photo by Arty Sarkisian)

By Nunatsiaq News

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(17) Comments:

  1. Posted by The Downward Spiral on

    The GN’s clumsy opening of the Beer and Wine store has had a huge negative impact on Iqaluit. Instead of becoming a centre of Inuit self governance and accomplishment, it’s become a magnet for dysfunctional, anti-social booze hounds from communities all over the Qikiqtaaluq region.

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    • Posted by The Upward Spiral on

      The GN’s clumsy opening of the beer and wine store has had such a positive impact for many citizens and its tourists that come to this beautiful city of Iqaluit.

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      • Posted by Tourism on

        Tourists, sure (although I’d argue that’s more related to the brewery than just the B&W store), but to say it’s had “such a positive impact”? There might be a few perks, but the amount of public intoxication and police calls have increased dramatically since the store opened, and that’s only what publicly seen/reported.

    • Posted by Reality Check on

      It was a magnet for dysfunction long before the beer and wine store.

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  2. Posted by Stop Enabling on

    When will we stop enabling people? Let’s appease our conscience by claiming we did our best to help but in reality projects like this only help them to continue down a path that leads to destruction. This doesn’t help anyone break free from this cycle. This just gives them an excuse to continue to go further down into the pit that eventually destroys them and everyone around them!

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    • Posted by switch up the attitude on

      i thought this was a community thing not badger the “low-income” society
      im sure you’re well kept in your condo up in plateau.*cough*

      everyone, yes everyone, not only you snobs who “have it together” everyone deserves a second chance to change. and if you keep that mindset of “oh, terrible people will live here and destruction everywhere on that street” that by your wish, may come true. there is a chance for that but if you put out positivity for people to grow and learn, instead of being belittled, a miracle happens.

      dont ponder too much about negative events when it hasnt even been completed.

      *woo for the community
      *boo for the negative comments

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      • Posted by i know on

        Your Dreaming. 99% of damp shelter people are just abuser of the sistem and all freebe user, they is no second chance for most if not all of them,they drink, get high and will never change.i know that. its not what i think bro,its a fact,wise up.

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  3. Posted by Remember on

    Right beside a children’s playground, in the middle of a residential neighborhood, a magnet for people with mental health issues. When those 44 ocupants with “poor judgment ” occupy that playground and kids are the victims the blame should be shared by the Uquutaq Society. Shame on them for poisoning a neighborhood.

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  4. Posted by John K on

    I’m glad my kids don’t use that playground.

    May as well tear the play equipment down and put in ashtrays and butt cans.

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  5. Posted by property value dumped on

    id be pissed if i owned a house there and was the one paying land taxes, only for the city to approve this in this residential area. and dont get me wrong, i to believe they have a right to roof over their head. but shouldnt have to affect those that pay property taxes.

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  6. Posted by Northern Guy on

    Perfect. this will turn the beachfront into even bigger ghetto than it is already. Iqaluit doesn’t seem to be able to build affordable housing for hard working families but we can build this monstrosity? Until now I have been loath to admit it but now it really seems that Iqaluit is becoming the dumping ground for the Territory’s social ills

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  7. Posted by Teach waht I Preach & Know on

    theres no suprise, this area was allways call the iqaluit gettho, (from snack to dj and cemitary all the way to the Beach) all of us born here knows that,some of the crazys were move to the 4196 area new building , build a few years ago,thus call the new gettho, lots of things you people dont know about my town,its hillarious seeing goody two shoes move here with their peace and love and ecologist idea Telling us not to shoot bears and become vegetarian.

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  8. Posted by For more destruction? on

    It is embarrassing to walk by the current windows broken “wet shelter” and now they are blowing our precious tax dollars for more destruction? Territorial election can’t come fast enough.

  9. Posted by Nunavumiuq on

    So sad, for the home owners that live so close to that building, and too close to the Playground.

    (Homeowners) should have been given the right to say how they feel, because they are paying high land tax.

    Why are intoxicated people given more rights then homeowners and children.

    Nunatsiaq News probably will not post this like my last letter.

  10. Posted by Tooma on

    I’m optimistic in the city of Iqaluit. How come they get all the jobs, all those buildings for homeless, while rest of Nunavut gets mines and where Iqaluit gets their income for all those new things, Iqaluit is it even sharing income with rest of Nunavut? There are no jobs, people are not working like educated individuals, here in rest of Nunavut.

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