What’s open and what’s closed in the GN over the holidays

Government of Nunavut offices are preparing to close for the holidays, but many services will remain open at full or reduced capacity.

All GN offices will be closed from 5 p.m. on Dec. 22 to 8:30 a.m. on Jan. 3, except for designated facilities that must stay open, said GN spokesperson Peterkin Chakonza in a media release. 

Facilities that will continue offering services are:

The Qikiqtani General Hospital in Iqaluit will remain open with full inpatient and emergency services. Other city health services will be offered at reduced capacity. 

Qikiqtani, Kivalliq and Kitikmeot Region health services will operate at reduced capacity during the holiday period.

Tuberculosis care delivery and COVID-19 pandemic response will function at full capacity. 

Lab and diagnostic imaging services will also remain open, as will mental health and addictions services.

Medical travel and boarding homes in Churchill, Edmonton, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Yellowknife and Iqaluit will continue to operate at full capacity.

On-call services will be available through the Department of Family Services and the Department of Education’s Financial Assistance for Nunavut Students office will remain on call for travel emergencies.

The Department of Community and Government Services will operate at reduced capacity and on an emergency basis, such as the safety services division and facilities management. 

The Iqaluit and Rankin Inlet beer and wine stores will be closed from Dec. 25 to 27 and Jan. 1 and 2. Liquor import permits and community order will not be processed from Dec. 23 to Jan 2.

The Employee and Family Assistance program will be available by phone and email throughout the holidays.

The Nunavut Court of Justice and community justice Offices will be closed, but legal registries will remain open except on Dec. 26, 27 and Jan. 2. 

All correctional facilities in Nunavut will remain open. 

Emergency wildlife and emergency spill response will be available 24 hours per day.

All airports in the territory will remain open, but the Nunavut Airports Division will be open for emergencies only. 

The Qulliq Energy Corporation’s customer care and employee offices will be closed Dec. 23 to Jan. 2, but essential service staff will continue delivering power supply.

The Nunavut Housing Corporation can be contacted for emergencies by calling (867) 222-1304.

Most Nunavut Arctic College buildings will be closed including the Kitikmeot Campus in Cambridge Bay, the Kivalliq Hall Offices in Rankin Inlet, the Sanatuliqsarvik Trades Training Centre in Rankin Inlet, the Nunatta Main Campus in Iqaluit and the Nunavut Research Institute.

However, NAC family housing and some student residences will remain open in Cambridge Bay, Rankin Inlet and Iqaluit. 

For the complete list of what GN services will remain open during the holidays visit the Community and Government Services website.