April 06, 2021
By reception_isuarsivik

At a meeting with the Kuujjuaq Municipal Council held on March 3rd, David Forrest, president of Isuarsivik, and Mary Aitchison, the vice-president, received confirmation that the municipality would authorize major construction works in 2021.

“It is with great enthusiasm that Isuarsivik has informed the contractor that our construction project has the green light to proceed this year. Our project team is currently finishing up the planning of the construction season. We will be ready to start the preparation work to lay out the foundation of the new facility as soon as the snow will have melted.” declared Mr. Forrest. Construction work is scheduled to end for Fall 2022.

Since 2019, Isuarsivik has secured $40,6M from all levels of governments and regional organizations to build a 22-bed facility as well as 12 housing units for the staff. The access road to the site and 4 of those 12 lodging units were built in 2019. Construction of the new facility was scheduled to start in the summer of 2020 but had to be postponed to 2021 due to concerns by the municipality of Kuujjuaq regarding the COVID pandemic. Construction material and equipment had been shipped to Kuujjuaq in 2020 to enable an early kick-off of the work in 2021.

“It is a great relief to know that the project won’t be further delayed because we know that many are suffering while they wait to access the new family services that will be offered at the new Centre. The re-launching of the construction is an announcement that brings hope to the region” stated Mrs. Aitchison.

Mr. Forrest insists on the commitment by both Isuarsivik and the contractor Les Constructions Pépin-Fortin to scrupulously enforce the public health authorities’ requirements to ensure the safety of the community and the workers. Isuarsivik will soon be in contact with the neighbouring residents to inform them about the construction work and schedule.

The pandemic had also forced Isuarsivik to close its inpatient services for almost a year. A first recovery cycle has been offered to women early in 2021 and a new cycle for men will be starting on April 21st. Unless in the event of a COVID-19 outbreak in the region, Isuarsivik expects to follow its plan to provide the residents of Nunavik with a total of 5 healing cycles throughout 2021. The 2021 Healing Cycles Calendar can be found here: https://isuarsivik.ca/healing-schedule/

Applications for the inpatient program can be submitted at any time using one of the options available on www.isuarsivik.ca/application-form. All applications received are added to the waiting list and will be considered for future cycles. For any questions regarding the application process, contact our intake department using the following email address: intake@isuarsivik.ca.

Categories: Press release