The bus outside the Gathering Place on Military Road is gone, but for a good reason.

A vehicle slid into the slippery road condition on Friday according to Gathering Place Executive Director, Paul Davis. The shelter was the focus of some controversy over the winter when a Metrobus notification went up indicating that it was being removed.

That resulted in a public outcry and resulted in an agreement between council and Metrobus that it would remain for the time being.

The shelter was removed on the weekend because of the damage caused.

Metrobus says decision on replacement of the structure had not yet been made.

Executive Director hopes to have the shelter will be replaced.

And the Executive Director of the Gathering Place, Paul Davis has written a letter Metrobus asking them to consider expanding the shelter outside the facility.

He is suggesting that it is a good time to have a discussion about a better model of what could be put back there. He is hopeful that Metrobus will see the benefit of the bus shelter and ensure that it is replaced.

NG is seeking bids from qualified contractors to begin construction of a 4136 square foot Duplex Apartment Building in Makkovik during the 2023 construction season.

The NG intends for the construction of the two-level apartment building to be substantially to complete within 16 months from the date of notification award of contract. Details for this tender can be found on MERX Canadians Public Tenders on the www.merx.com website.

Bids are to be submitted online through MERX Canadian Public Tenders no later than 2pm on Tuesday, April 18 this year.

For information, please contact Terry Rice – Capital Project Coordinator at terry.rice@nunatsiavut.com, cc: infra.ngprocurement@nunatsiavut.com, with subject line CONSTRUCTION OF DUPLEX APARTMENT MAKKOVIK (NGINF-104A).

The lowest cost or any proposal may not necessarily be accepted and the Nunatsiavut Government reserves the right to cancel this RFP.

Proposals will be evaluated on the principles of value for money, which include an evaluation of the Inuit Content factor pursuant to the Procurement Act.

Minimum wage is about to increase- it jumps to $14.50 an hour on Saturday, April 1.

The 80¢ (cent) increase is the first of two increases this year.

As of Sunday, October 1, the minimum wage goes up another .50 cents bringing it to $15 an hour.

Effective yesterday, March 27, the Provincial Government is advising that the NLVaxPass application is no longer available as COVID-19 has become part of the infectious disease landscape.

Proof of vaccination may be required for travel and residents can continue to access their COVID-19 vaccination records through the Vaccine Portal or via MyGovNL

For detailed instructions on how to access your COVID-19 vaccination record, visit www.gov.nl.ca/covid-19/.

The Torngat Wildlife, Plants and Fisheries Secretariat held an information session last week.

Craig Taylor who is the Fisheries Analyst for Torngat Secretariat, invited the public to talk about the ongoing Arctic Char Project at Fraser River.

He says he was committed to doing Arctic char research after hearing concerns on the health of the stocks of char in the local area.

Click here to hear more of the information session with Taylor.

Easter is just a week away and some event will be starting here in Nain at the Jeremias Sillitt Community Centre.

On Saturday, April 1st, children ages 5-12 is invited to a Pokémon party from 10am-2pm.

There will be a Pokémon poster contest, and posters must be made at home and brought to the JS on Friday, March 31st for judging.

They will also have a prize for person dressed up as Pokémon fan, as well as a Pokémon card display, and many more.

Also on April 1st, there will be a Rummage Sale starting at 12pm and tables will be available at a cost of $10 each.

On Sunday April 9, Easter Bunny is coming to town.

A parade will start at 1pm at the airstrip and ends at the JS Centre where Easter Bunny will give treats and offer pictures to children up to 12 years of age.

They will also have a prize of $100 for Best Decorated Float and Person, and you must be in the parade in order to win.

For more information, you may contact the Recreation Department at 922-2691.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has made a commitment to increase the financial contribution for the 2026 Labrador Winter Games from $500,000 to $750,000. In addition, $50,000 has been committed to support the concept of regional games and sport development in remote areas of Labrador leading up to the 2026 games. The financial contributions confirm the Provincial Government as the primary funder for the 2026 Labrador Winter Games.

The Honourable Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Honourable Lisa Dempster, Minister Responsible for Labrador Affairs and Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation, announced this support during the closing ceremonies of the 2023 Labrador Winter Games on March 18, 2023.

The most recent games, held March 12-18, featured traditional and modern-day sports and skill competitions that reflected the cultural diversity and heritage of Labrador. More than 300 athletes from 19 communities across Labrador, supported by their families and hometowns, participated in what is also described as the ‘Olympics of the North’.

The Labrador Winter Games were first held in 1983 and takes place every three years in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. The 2023 Labrador Winter Games marked the 14th gathering since its inception and the 40th anniversary of its inauguration.

In addition to stimulating interest and participation in organized sport within communities, and encouraging a sense of fairness and sportsmanship, the Labrador Winter Games promote physical activity, the importance of lifelong active living, and nurturing traditional and cultural ties to the past.

Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami reported it has been over 20 years they delivered an experimental learning program with senior executives within the Federal Government.

Last week they were in Nunatsiavut. This program is designed to provide an overview of the systems and services in a region of Inuit Nunangat.

They give thanks to Nunatsiavut Government for support and assistance at every step along the way.

There will be a community consultation for the North Coast communities this week with Norlogics Owner/Principal Consultant, Matthew Pike.

These consultations will be an opportunity to provide your thoughts, opinions, concerns and/or any information related to the potential construction of a road to Northern Labrador.

Please note these sessions will be audio recorded, and the schedule will be updated frequently should there be any weather delays or cancellations.

The community consultation for Rigolet and Postville was postponed due to weather and flight cancellations, re-scheduled date to be announced.

The session for Hopedale was completed last Thursday, March 23rd but is still accepting online submissions at norlogics.ca/north-coast-road.

In observance of LIA Day, the evening session has been rescheduled to tomorrow Tuesday, March 28th at 10am-12pm, 2-4pm, and again from 7-9pm at the NG building.

They will also be in Makkovik on Thursday, March 30 from 7-9pm, and again on March 31st from 10am-12pm, and 1-3pm at the Community Hall.

The Nunatsiavut Assembly Sitting took place earlier this month.

It is held in Hopedale from community by-laws to regulations and amendments covering all of Nunatsiavut, and to understand what is going on in each of the departments.

Click here to hear the audio from the Nunatsiavut Assembly.