Construction of new daycare in Iqaluit gets underway

News release

ᐃᓄᒃᑎᑐᑦ

Minister Bennett announces funding for new daycare with ground-breaking ceremony in Iqaluit

July 10, 2018 - Iqaluit, NU - Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada

For Canadian families, high-quality, affordable child care is more than a convenience - it is a necessity. The Government of Canada recognizes the deep connection between child care and the economic security of families.

Today, the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs, celebrated the start of construction of a new daycare in Iqaluit. It will be the largest daycare facility in Nunavut, accommodating approximately 60 children.

Kudlik Construction Ltd., an Iqaluit-based, Inuit-owned firm has been awarded the $8 million construction contract of the new daycare. This facility will provide increased access to daycare for families and will benefit the community as a whole by creating jobs and reducing other local daycare waiting lists.

Minister Bennett also congratulated the winners of the Art Integration program, Lavinia Van Heuvelen, Looty Pijamini, Izalasie Kopalie, and Barry Philip, whose artwork will be integrated into the building's design.

Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada is funding the design and construction of the daycare, while not-for-profit Tundra Buddies Day Care Society will be the private operator of the new daycare.

The tentative opening date of the daycare is the summer of 2019.

Quotes

"All children deserve a place where they can learn and grow. The Government of Canada is proud to invest the construction of this new daycare facility, which will help to strengthen the community and build a better quality of life for families in Iqaluit."

The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, M.D., P.C., M.P.
Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs

"This initiative will help to build the foundations of a stronger and healthier community by providing much needed additional child care spots. The daycare will be open to everyone in Iqaluit and Tundra Buddies Day Care looks forward to welcoming families and children from across the community."

Rachel Théorêt-Gosselin
Tundra Buddies Day Care Society President

Quick facts

  • Kudlik Construction Ltd. is an Iqaluit-based, Inuit-owned firm offering various construction-related professional services in Nunavut.

  • The construction contract award is the result of a fair, open and transparent procurement process administered by Public Services and Procurement Canada.

  • The winners of the Art Integration program were chosen by an art committee, including a representative from the Nunavut Arts and Crafts Association, that was set up to oversee the process and judge the entries.

  • On August 1, 2017, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada awarded the daycare design contract to EVOQ Architecture Incorporated.

  • The new daycare will be located in Iqaluit at the corner of Niaqunngusiaq and Paunna Roads.

Associated links

Contacts

James Fitz-Morris
Director of Communications and Issues Management
Office of the Honourable Carolyn Bennett
819-997-0002

Media Relations
Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
819-953-1160

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