News quiz March 1 | Planes, cranes and automobile roads

It’s Saturday morning, time for some quizzical queries to start your weekend. Let’s play!

1. Finance Minister Lorne Kusugak tabled Nunavut’s budget for 2025-26 this week in the legislative assembly. What does he forecast for the coming financial year?

A. Nunavut will actually run a small surplus of about $14 million.
B. After juggling a few numbers, he said Nunavut will break even this year.
C. Nunavut will have a budget deficit of $124 million.

2. Some confusion arose recently over the Nunavut 3000 plan to build 3,000 new housing units by 2030. What was so confusing?

A. The target has been changed from 3,000 new units to a smaller amount that will be easier to attain.
B. The number of new units Nunavut Housing Corp. said last fall have been completed is larger than the updated number it released in mid-February.
C. The construction program has been temporarily paused.

3. Aluki Kotierk, the former president of Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., has a new role. What is it?

A. She is Nunavut’s new senator, replacing the retired Dennis Patterson.
B. She will be the Liberal candidate for Nunavut in the upcoming federal election.
C. She’s leading a review of the Nutrition North Canada food subsidy program.

4. What happened to Canadian North airline this week?

A. It announced changes to its carry-on baggage fees.
B. It’s being sold.
C. It will add more flights between Iqaluit and Ottawa starting April 1.

5. There’s finally a name for the road leading to Aqqusariaq, the addictions recovery centre under construction in Iqaluit. What is it?

A. The Road to Somewhere
B. Roady McRoadface
C. Akausigiarvik Road

The road to recovery — actually, to Aqqusariaq, the addictions recovery centre being built in Iqaluit — has a name now. What is it? (Photo by Daron Letts)

Answers

1. C — Nunavut will be in the red this year, meaning a deficit of $124 million is expected, Kusugak said.
2. B — Last fall, Nunavut Housing Corp. said 394 units had been completed to that point. But on Feb. 18, NHC president Eiryn Devereaux said approximately 350 units were finished. As of Tuesday, NHC had not responded to Nunatsiaq News’ request to clarify the discrepancy.
3. C — Kotierk was named to lead the Nutrition North review earlier this week by Gary Anandasangaree, the federal minister for northern affairs.
4. B — A deal was reached to sell Canadian North to Exchange Income Corp. from Winnipeg. Its current owners, Makivvik Corp. and Inuvialuit Regional Corp., announced the sale Monday. The deal still requires regulatory approvals.
5. C — Akausigiarvik Road is the new name, Iqaluit city council decided this week. Translated, it means “to feel better road.”