13 November 2020
CRTC wants to hear from northerners about Northwestel
National watchdog launches major review of telecom services in the North
https://nunatsiaq.com/stories/article/crtc-wants-to-hear-from-northerners-about-northwestel/
By Jim Bell
Canada’s telecommunications watchdog wants to know what northerners think about their internet, wireless and phone services, especially those services offered by Northwestel.
It’s part of a big review of Northwestel and the state of telecommunications in Canada’s North that the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission launched on Nov. 2.
“We want to know more about how the telecommunications needs of Canadians living in the areas served by Northwestel are being met to ensure that all Canadians have access to high-quality telecommunication services,” the CRTC said in its online pitch to northern residents..........................continue at link.
12 November 2020
Nunavut, Nunavik internet providers hope to tap Ottawa’s new broadband fund
The $150-million Rapid Response Stream fund aims to boost capacity for applicants by November 2021
https://nunatsiaq.com/stories/article/nunavut-nunavik-internet-providers-hope-to-tap-ottawas-new-broadband-fund/
By Sarah Rogers
Northern internet service providers say they welcome the federal government’s latest financial boost toward high-speed internet in the North.
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau launched his government’s $1.75-billion Universal Broadband Fund, money previously earmarked in his government’s 2019 budget.
The fund aims to connect 98 per cent of Canadians to high-speed internet by 2026.
But that funding and connectivity can’t come fast enough for satellite-dependent providers in Nunavik and Nunavut who say they’ve almost maxed out capacity, while access to a high-speed network has become more pressing than ever in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Providers in Nunavut and Nunavik say they are looking specifically for help from a $150-million Rapid Response Stream fund dedicated to boosting capacity as quickly as possible—in this case, by November 2021..........continue at link.
12 November 2020
COVID-19 case confirmed in Kuujjuaq, Nunavik’s largest community
Nunavik health board says no additional restrictions necessary for now
https://nunatsiaq.com/stories/article/covid-19-case-confirmed-in-kuujjuaq-nunaviks-largest-community/
Health officials say a person in Kuujjuaq has tested positive for COVID-19. (File photo)
By Sarah Rogers
Nunavik health officials say that someone in Kuujjuaq has tested positive for COVID-19.
The Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services said on Thursday, Nov. 12, that the person was infected with the virus while outside the region and is now in isolation.
“Public Health is communicating with people who have been in contact with the individual and are ordering them to isolate,” the health board said in a news release.
“Given the rapid identification of this case, people who were in contact cannot yet be infectious and would not have spread COVID-19.”
This is the first case of COVID-19 in Kuujjuaq, Nunavik’s largest community. The health board said that no additional restrictions are necessary in Nunavik communities at this point. There are no other active cases of the virus in the region.
But the health board says Nunavimmiut should keep up measures such as wearing a mask in public places, washing hands, keeping a two-metre distance from others, coughing and sneezing into their elbow, and staying home when flu-like symptoms are present..............continue at link.
10 November 2020
Ottawa doles out $10 million to Iqaluit’s French school expansion
“This will be a space of cultural importance”
https://nunatsiaq.com/stories/article/ottawa-doles-out-10-million-to-iqaluits-french-school-expansion/
Iqaluit’s École des Trois-Soleils is slated to undergo a major renovation that will see a gymnasium and new classrooms being built, while its on-site daycare, Les Petits Nanooks, will see a major expansion. (File photo)
By Sarah Rogers
Ottawa will put $10.7 million into upgrades to Iqaluit’s French school and childcare centre, the federal government announced on Monday, Nov. 9.
École des Trois-Soleils is home to about 85 students from kindergarten through Grade 12, though the current facility does not have sufficient space for many of its secondary classes, which are instead held at neighbouring Inuksuk High School, in English.
Trois-Soleils is now slated to undergo a major renovation that will see a gymnasium and new classrooms being built, while its on-site daycare, Les Petits Nanooks, will see a major expansion.
Mélanie Joly, Canada’s minister of economic development and official languages, announced the funding during a news conference broadcast by video conference.
“This will have a great positive impact not just for students but for all of Iqaluit,” she said.
“Iqaluit is a very busy and expanding community.” ..........continue at link
12 November 2020
Montreal police say missing Inuk teen found “doing well”
Eva Kudluk, 16, disappeared in Montreal on Oct. 2
By Nunatsiaq News
(Updated on Nov. 12)
The Service de police de la ville de Montrèal said an Inuk teen has been found, more than one month after she went missing in Montreal.
Eva Kudluk disappeared in the Dorval area on Oct. 2, when Montreal police issued a public notice seeking help locating the 16-year-old.
“Investigators have reason to fear for her safety,” the police service said at the time.
Police say the teen was found on Nov. 7 after someone called 911 to report a sighting of the teen.
The SPVM said the teen was found “doing well” but police did not have further information about her disappearance.
From Nunavik Maps
https://www.makivik.org/nunavik-maps/
Nunavut Communities
--from https://www.nunavut.ca/nunavut-communities
