New Iqaluit jail unlikely to break ground this summer as planned

Construction on the new Qikiqtani Correctional Healing Centre may not go ahead this summer, as planned.

Last week, the government of Nunavut cancelled the request for proposals to build Iqaluit's new jail after only one company bid on the project.

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The lone bid was for $74.8 millionfrom Pilitak Enterprises Ltd., and was nearly $7 million over the government's remaining budget for the project.

The entire project's price tag is $76 million, but $8 millionhas already been allocated for design and foundation, leaving $68 millionfor construction costs.

In an interview with CBC News, Chris Stewart, the manager of capital and special projects for Nunavut's Justice Department, stuck to his speaking points in emphasizing the government's commitment to the project.

But he couldn't say how far back this will push construction.

"The sole bidder coming in over budget is a setback, but the Department of Justice and the Department of Community and Government Services are going to work together to explore all options to make sure this project moves forward," Stewart said.

"Anybody who has family members living and working in that building, should know that we will be continuing to push this forward to make sure this project becomes a reality."

New facility to replace decrepit, notorious, jail

The new Qikiqtani Correctional Healing Centre was announced in 2016 as a bigger and improved version of the decrepit Baffin Correctional Centre.

The notorious Iqaluit jail has been referred to in previous CBCstoriesas "a cardboard prison," "nothing short of appalling," and a "constitutional risk." Ithas been under national scrutiny for a number of years.

• Canada's worst prison? Censored report details 'appalling' conditions
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In 2015, Canada's auditor general said the jail put the safety of inmates and staff at risk., and a 2014 report called for the facility to be shut down.

The new facility was to begin with construction of a two-storey maximum security unit, then renovate the existing jail to create two medium security living units.

The new facility will hold 112 inmates and is expected to meet modern security standards.

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