Elder mobility vans are coming to 5 Nunavut communities

Five communities in Nunavut are going to be getting new accessible mobility vans, meant to help elderly residents get around in their community.

"It really ties to the dignity of the elder and the respect that we have for them, for them to feel that they're part of community," said Premier P.J. Akeeagok.

Akeeagok announced the project and recipient communities at the Elders' Qammaq in Iqaluit, last week.

Iqaluit, Cambridge Bay, Coral Harbour, Pangnirtung and Rankin Inlet will each receive a van. They have four seats and space to accommodate two wheelchairs. 

The vans are meant to be a free service to help elders get to places like grocery stores, health appointments and events in the communities.

Martha Tikivik is an elder at the Elders' Qammaq in Iqaluit, and says the vans will come in handy. 

"There are more and more immobile elders now and I know there will be more in the future. So, we are very grateful we will soon have a ride. I am so happy about it," she said.

The vans coming into the communities are part of a pilot project run by non-profit Northern Future Skills Development. Arctic Training, a Nunavut-based company, will be training community members to drive the vans, and Caribou Cabs will be in charge of dispatching them. 

The Government of Nunavut hopes to have the van service pilot project launch in 2025. It is currently looking for funding to operate the project. Depending on that funding, it would also consider expanding the service to other communities in the territory. 

The Government of Nunavut purchased the vans, which cost around $1 million dollars in total.