Iqaluit Northern store’s security guards get tactical makeover
New policy includes seizing and searching backpacks as grocer beefs up security
A supervisor with Canadian Arctic Protective Services stands at the exit of Iqaluit’s Northern store with a body-worn camera on his chest last week. In September, two guards per shift began wearing the devices at the location. The guards are also equipped with what appears to be a retractable baton. (Photo by Daron Letts)
Iqaluit’s Northern store unveiled a new look in October, following three years of in-store renovations. Its security guards also got a makeover.
Some of their new all-black tactical uniforms come with accessories, including body-worn cameras and what appear to be retractable batons.
“Two guards per shift have cameras and they are only turned on during an event,” Brigitte Burgoyne, spokesperson for the North West Co., the Winnipeg-based parent corporation of Northern, said in an email.
“The North West Company does not collect body camera footage.”
Canadian Arctic Protective Services does, the company’s regional manager said.
That’s who North West Co. contracts for its security.
With a head office in Iqaluit, Canadian Arctic Protective Services provides security services across Nunavut, and in Ottawa and Yellowknife, “and soon in Miami, Florida,” its website says.
“Footage access is limited to select management personnel and is used to review incidents and, where required, for law enforcement or legal proceedings,” said Paul Hunter, the security company’s regional director, in an email.
“The cameras are turned on during an event and do not record continuously. They are not used for general customer surveillance.”
Hunter declined to say if the tool on the guard’s belt is a baton.
“We do not publicly share our internal security procedures or comment on site-specific security arrangements,” Hunter said.
Loblaws Inc., Canada’s largest food retailer, launched a pilot project using body cameras across B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario in early 2025. Shoppers Drug Mart followed.
“I take this as a completely misguided approach to the issue of food insecurity,” said sociologist Alissa Overend, interim director of the Research Institute of Urban Wellness at Edmonton’s MacEwan University, in a phone interview.
“Even in cities, I don’t think policing is the right approach, but especially in northern and remote communities,” Overend said. “There have been criticisms of racial profiling.”
Shopper Marion Kusugak learned about some of the store’s on-site security arrangements first-hand on Thursday evening when a guard grabbed her backpack from her and then searched it, as she’d just begun shopping. (The guard who interacted with Kusugak is not the guard in the main photo of this story.)
Nunatsiaq watched as a guard dumped all her possessions on the checkout counter.
“Be careful, please,” Kusugak said.
Some of her belongings fell to the floor as he rooted through them.
Northern store shopper Marion Kusugak shows the red ticket a cashier gave her after her backpack was taken and searched by a security guard on Thursday evening. She was not wearing sunglasses and a hood when the guard stopped her. She wore them only for the photo. (Photo by Daron Letts)
When the search was over, the guard stuffed her things back in her backpack. Then the cashier took the bag and put it out of sight behind the counter and handed Kusugak a red ticket.
“It’s a new policy,” the cashier told her.
After a pause, Kusugak asked the guard his first name, then put her hand out to shake his. He didn’t shake her hand.
Asked how she felt about the search as she pushed her cart down the frozen food aisle, she said, “I didn’t like it.”
“This was a town first and then it became a city,” she said.
Burgoyne at North West Co., and Hunter at Canadian Arctic Protective Services declined requests to answer questions about whether the way the guard searched Kusugak’s backpack was standard practice or whether it was appropriate.
Down the street at Arctic Ventures, elder Seemeega Kootoo staffs the entrance six days a week. He is one of three local security guards at the store.
Iqaluit elder Seemeega Kootoo staffs the door at Arctic Ventures in Iqaluit on Wednesday evening. He is one of three local security guards at the store. (Photo by Daron Letts)
“When people who are barred from here come, I don’t let them in,” he said during an interview on Wednesday. “That’s what I do.”When he is not busy, he returns shopping carts to their stall, he added.
Arctic Co-op stores use fixed in-store surveillance systems to address theft concerns “in the least invasive manner,” said company vice-president Duane Wilson. The company has also not adopted body-worn cameras for security staff because they require detailed policies around when to record, as well as accessing, storing and retaining footage.
Iqaluit RCMP have responded to an average of fewer than 10 shoplifting-related calls per month between January and October, said spokesperson Sgt. George Henrie.
On the North West Co. website, it states:
“In the spirit of Truth and Reconciliation, we acknowledge Canada’s colonial history and the policies of racism that created power imbalances throughout history and the resulting harm done to Indigenous Peoples,” under the heading: “Our promise to Indigenous Peoples.”
Why the thin blue line? Also why dump and search someone’s bag when they first arrive at the store? This is such a bad look in response to severe food insecurity and the NWC making millions off of formula and water in indigenous communities.
It looks and sounds like they have been trained by ICE?
I haven’t lived in Iqaluit for a years now. What’s going on at the NorthMart that requires such security?
This is going to end so badly when someone explains to these guards forcefully that they don’t have those authorities.
Also, just last night at NorthMart the masked guard had his camera on while just standing there watching people.
Remember, they can absolutely ask to see receipts, but you have absolutely zero obligation to show them. Equally, If you see one commit and indictable offence, detain them on the spot and call the RCMP, the same as any other person.
Some People can not afford groceries anymore with the crazy prices northern has
Perhaps if the politicians would step in and cap some prices
The need for security would drop
Arctic Ventures’ approach to security is more appropriate than Northern’s. Security that can also be welcoming, communicate in Inuktitut and talk folks in distress out of the store is much more effective
Someone should sit there and record the apparent ethnicity and apparent gender orientation of those who get pulled for inspection and that sort of thing.
Find some evidence of discrimination of protected grounds, and then let the press do its thing.
The press aren’t going to do a thing. Maybe the CBC might, but NN would rather run a promo on how great North Mart is than actually criticize a private business in this territory.
I completely understand the need for increased security measures, and I appreciate the importance of keeping staff and customers safe. That said, I often find it difficult to visit Northern because of the people outside always requesting for money or people trying to intimidate you outside.
Iqaluit is a northern community with a complex history. Inuit and local residents have endured generations of colonial policies, displacement, and experiences that left many feeling marginalized in their own homeland. From the days of Apex and military administration (they had curfew in apex as to when they had to be back) to the long journey toward self-determination and the creation of Nunavut, the people of this territory have shown remarkable resilience, strength given the treatment they received.
When training security personnel on how to protect themselves and ensure public safety, we should also be teaching respect, and cultural understanding. Security guards should receive training on Nunavut’s history, and Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit so they better understand the communities they serve.
Safety and security are important, but so are dignity and respectful treatment. A balanced approach that combines security training with education on Inuit culture, history, and values would help foster more positive interactions and stronger relationships with customers. Training in Nunavut History and Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit should be a mandatory part of preparing anyone who works in a frontline role in our territory.
While I don’t disagree with your sentiments, the idea of “the communities that they serve” is mistaken. They absolutely do not serve the community, they serve their employer, and their employer serves NorthMart.
These are not police or public peace officers who ultimately serve people.
If Northmart and Northern stores didn’t jack up their prices people wouldn’t be going to great lengths to steal food. People are stealing food because they can’t afford to feed their families and themselves. I live alone, I have a job, and yet the price of groceries I pay for is absolutely disgusting. It’s hard for so many people to get by and the store’s solution is to have security dressed like this?! Even bullet proof vests?! This is insane! Hungry people will do almost anything for food. But the way the store is handling the thieves is so inhumane.
The last time the Government of Nunavut increased Social Assistance payments was in April of 2023.
Basic allowances were increased a mere 0.5%. based on the rising cost of food at that time.
Since 2023, food prices have increased between 27-33% across Canada. War and Climate Change figure prominently as causes for these increases, none of which is under the control of your local grocery store.
Since Nunavut food prices generally track at around 1.5X the average national cost, it is likely that the cost of food in Nunavut has increased around 45% in the past 3 years.
Now, there may not be very much fat in the GN budget nowadays, but I find it disappointing that our elected leaders, faced with rapidly rising food insecurity, find it perfectly OK to continue to fund “nice-to-have” departments at roughly the same rate as before, while limiting spending increases to “must-have” departments.
There is a great deal of bureaucratic inertia in the GN, with no evidence whatsoever that the powers that be are willing to cut spending, set priorities, and channel resources into where they are needed most on this worsening issue.
Overall, in terms of levels of inhumanity, I would rate the GN a little higher on the scale than Northern Store, given they have the resources and the mandate to address starvation among our most vulnerable, and have chosen to avoid doing so.
I agree. It is insane and something bad is going to happen.
But I disagree that the money they are losing to stealing is the result of people trying to feed their families. That happens, make no mistake. But the bulk of the problem in Iqaluit right now is the people who are stealing to feed their addictions to alcohol and hard drugs.
I would bet my life that people stealing to feed families make up a tiny percentage of the thefts that have been taking place in the stores these days. I’m not saying it doesn’t happen, but I am saying that the issue of people stealing for other reasons has spiralled to an insane level.
Great idea, the amount of theft in that place is unreal, and its not northern that takes the loss, they add theft into there prices and recover through there prices bringing cost of food higher, less theft, lower cost, search me anytime.
I completely agree with you 💯 makes clear sense
This is an interesting circular argument developing. Food is more expensive therefore poeple steal. Because people steal, food is more expensive. To try and reduce stealing, the big bad company pays to hire security. Because the cost of security needs to get paid (by the customers) the cost of food goes higher. Repeat,repeat
There are obvious problems with your logic.
Food retailers have little discretion in how much they charge for food based on how much they have to pay for it from food wholesalers and producers.
The net profit on food sales reported by Northern Stores has not varied significantly in the past few years even though there has been staggering increases in prices for food paid by consumers.
In my community, both the Coop and Northern Store sell food for roughly the same price. People shop at both mainly based on product availability. Coop stores are not driven by a profit motive. If Northern were truly price gouging, their food prices would be noticeably higher.
The increase in price of food that you say initiates this circular process is therefore not an active choice of retailers; either they charge more for the things they themselves have to pay more for, or lose money and eventually, go out of business.
This would result in no food being available in a community to steal, expensive or not.
The theft of store inventory contributes to higher prices for paying customers whether or not a retailer invests in more security.
The incremental cost of security, (or enhanced security) is not as big as a factor in driving costs as a business paying for something to sell, and then not having it available to sell and therefore losing that revenue.
War and Climate Change control what we do regarding food in Nunavut. If you are looking for feedback loops, you are going to have to look elsewhere.
Retailers need to earn a profit after what’s called “shrink” which includes theft, losses in transit, spoilage etc etc
If shrink goes up, profits go down. One way to overcome the losses due to shrink is to increase prices.
Costs go up therefore prices need to go up to cover them. You’re obviously schooled about global warming and warfare, but you are over complicating something that is quite elemental. With the increases in freight costs (read:fuel), you now need to sell a lot more to make up for it OR, raise your prices…
This isn’t about people stealing a $5 loaf of bread to feed their family. It’s about people stealing the most expensive things they can get their hands on and using the money they get from selling it to buy booze and crack.
Does Northern not realize how incredibly bad a look masked guards with thin blue line patches is? I have no interest in shopping somewhere where the staff look like ICE. It’s revolting. What level of government is even responsible for licensing/regulating private security in the territory?
They’re a private company that answer to their shareholders. Dont like it, dont shop there.
I for one have seen the amount of shoplifting at Northmart and can guarantee it is not people that cant afford food that are stealing. It is druggies and people that would rather buy smokes than put food on their table. It is also kids stealing expensive toys and stuff.
Crazy that it has come to this, but if youre truly against this, boycott Northmart. Actions speak louder than words.
You’re right, we should boycott North Mart!
Maybe this is a way for Northmart to make YOU feel like the bad guy, what’s next NM? Pre order shopping? Ridiculous
Gee i don’t know……maybe stop stealing from the stores?
The Canadian Arctic Protective Services website’s home page says they are an Inuit-owned company. Who is the owner?
The oddest part of this story is that Ms Kusugak’s bag was seized and rummaged through as she was just starting her shopping. This is clearly over the line, are they going to be looking into people’s bag for fun as they come into the store? Does Northmart take responsibility for people’s bags as they seize them?
Also who assign’s ranks to these loss prevention contractors? Their entire outfits make them appear like sad little men who have peaked in life.
I would bet money that Mr Kootoo prevents more theft than Northmart’s loss prevention contractors.
It would be interesting to know who owns Canadian Arctic Protective Services, likely some police want to be who could not cut it.
Do better Northmart!
In most cases retailers, by law, aren’t allowed to search customers’ bags. Security staff can’t search bags unless they’ve witnessed a crime. An innocent person who has been asked to have their bag checked should calmly assert their rights, ask what crime they’ve committed and walk away.
Or be detained until police arrive
I have witnessed how this this Canaps deals with employees and people. They try to bully and threaten.
How are their employees trained and since they are carrying weapons and cuff what is their use of force policies?
How long before we have a stanky leg incident?
I wonder what the laws are in Nunavut? We probably don’t have them.
In Ontario, any security guard must show his or her license to any person on demand, at any time, for any reason. It is an offence not to, and they must have their license on them at all times when on duty.
There is number on it that you can then run against the public website in Ontario. Does Nunavut have a similar law and database? I’m going to go with no.
We need our own stores! The companies from Winnipeg have been ripping us off for far too long!
ICE have arrived at North Mart in Iqaluit. Last week a lady was blocked by ICE she just wanted to sell few homemade items like they do at Frob Inn.
If my bag is taken from me by an armed man anywhere in public, I’d consider it assault.