Iqaluit councillors say city needs to clean up for tourists

Iqaluit city councillors want to see the city clean up its act, as garbage is showing up all over the city with the spring melt.

"I just think we need to start educating people that you can't leave garbage wherever you want," said Coun. Terry Dobbin.

Dobbin said the city needs to clean up litter around town if the Nunavut Government is using its new tourism strategy to promote Iqaluit as a destination.

"They're trying to entice people to Iqaluit for meetings and conferences. The GN [Government of Nunavut] is promoting tourism videos. Yet at the same time, our cityespecially the downtown coreis a mess," said Dobbin.

As examples, Dobbin pointed to garbage around an apartment building close to Arctic Ventures, and cigarette butts around the stairs of the Hotel Arctic.

He said he wants to see construction companies clean up their garbage.

Dobbin said there used to be a beautification committee, and he hopes it can start up again.

Coun. Romeyn Stevenson echoed Dobbin's concerns, saying one of the most intriguing aspects of the city is its location right on the water. But Stevenson said people need to learn where to put garbage when they return from boating.

Next week is National Environment Week and the Government of Nunavut will host a community cleanup day on June 14.

Dobbin said he hopes the city will still look clean two weeks later.