Month in Review – Nunavut

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Month in Review – Nunavut

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LAWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Minimum Wage

Aug 15: Reminder: Nunavut will increase its general minimum wage 42 cents to $20.17 on September 1. That is by far the highest in the country. No other jurisdiction has a minimum wage that’s as high as $19 and only two—Yukon and British Columbia—have crossed the $18 per hour threshold.

Action Point: Find out how to avoid common payroll errors when adjusting to minimum wage increases.

New Laws

Jul 21: The federal government awarded Inuit firm Arctic Fresh Projects Inc. a $35.6 million contract to construct a 23-unit residential complex in Iqaluit. The procurement is among the first to be completed under the Buy Canadian Policy, with the contract awarded to a Canadian supplier, which will predominantly use Canadian-made steel, aluminum, and lumber in the construction. The project will create up to 55 jobs over the next two years.

Training

Aug 11: The Nunavut Department of Community Services’ tourism and cultural industry division is now accepting Inuit Tourism Business Mentorship Program applications. The Program offers training to up to five Inuit tourism business owners with each mentorship including up to 10 days of combined in-person and virtual training over the course of four to six months. To be eligible, applicants must be Inuit and own a tourism business registered in Nunavut. Deadline to apply: September 11.

Health & Safety

Jul 1: The WSCC issued new guidance to help employers prevent “struck-by” incidents, which happen when workers come into contact with a moving object, tool, or piece of equipment. In 2025, workers’ compensation claims for struck-by injuries in Nunavut and Northwest Territories most often involved construction workers, carpenters, mine workers, maintenance workers, nurses, and people who stock shelves.

Action Point: Find out how to create a vibrant safety culture to avoid struck-by and other injuries that can result in workers’ compensation claims.

Drugs & Alcohol

Jul 22: Nunavut and the Northwest Territories declined to sign the new Canada-wide agreement allowing for direct-to-consumer (DTC) sales of alcohol products across provincial and territorial boundaries citing “unique realities.” While both territories support the principles of internal free trade, allowing DTC sales would undermine local alcohol restrictions or prohibitions “that reflect community priorities and cultural values.”

Action Point: Find out how to implement an effective fitness for duty policy to control substance abuse at your workplace.

CASES

There are no cases to report on this month.