School year ends early in Puvirnituq, Que., amid state of emergency over water shortage

CBC

20-05-2025

The school year has come to an early end in Puvirnituq, Que., due to continuing issues regarding access to drinking water, water delivery and waste water management in the northern community.
In a news release on Monday, Kativik Ilisarniliriniq — the local school board — said that in the current context, it could not "ensure the continuity of educational services" and was gradually closing two of its schools, effective Tuesday.
The board emphasized students would not be penalized and those needing to write end-of-year exams to get compulsory high school credits would be able to do so.
The closures of Iguarsivik and Ikaarvik schools, attended by students in elementary and high school, comes after a fire broke out Saturday, exacerbating an existing water shortage and prompting the mayor to declare a state of emergency.
No one was injured in the fire, but the blaze, which broke out at around 3 p.m. in the Inuit village of 2,100 people, was only put out at around midnight.
Puvirnituq Mayor Lucy Qalingo said in a statement that firefighting efforts were hampered by blizzard conditions, strong winds and the area's very limited water supply.
Access to water has been limited for two months, ever since a pipe that connects the pump station to the treatment plant froze in mid-March.
That has forced the village to drive farther out of town to truck in water which then needs to be manually chlorinated, slowing the delivery of water.
Difficult weather conditions, including slushy roads and a series of blizzards, have made the situation worse.
In an interview with CBC News on Sunday, Qalingo described unsanitary living conditions stemming from water access issues.
"There are homes, their toilets are filled with feces because we don't have any running water. And for those who are less fortunate, they're thirsty," she said.
Local health facilities in Puvirnituq have also been affected, with more than two dozen people flown south from the hospital and a care home for seniors.
The school board said essential staff remain present at the schools and teams have been working with municipal authorities to develop an emergency plan and "provide water access points" to residents.
As for the upcoming school year, the board said additional resources will be put in place for students who need "catch-up instruction."