Crews are still working to restore power to Kimmirut, Nunavut as a community-wide outage continues into its third day.

On Sunday morning, Nunavut power provider Qulliq Energy Corporation said electricity has now been restored within Kimmirut’s power plant, and crews are working on getting electricity to the community.

About 400 people live in the South Baffin Island Hamlet of Kimmirut, which is about 125 kilometres southwest of Iqaluit. During the power outage, homes and stores have been without heat and electricity, and many residents are low on food without refrigeration.

Qaqqalik School, which has power through a generator, is open as a warming shelter and is handing out food and water.

David Joanasie, Nunavut’s minister of community and government services, said the government sent additional supplies of food and fuel on Saturday night.

He said the main airline in the region, Canadian North, has been working to provide extra cargo services to Kimmirut residents, and local stores have been working to replenish the stock of food at the warming centre.

A back-up generator is operational at the water treatment plant, but a boil water advisory is under effect, and the local health centre is only open for emergencies and urgent medical concerns.

Kimmirut residents eat breakfast at the local school on Nov. 2, 2024. During the power outage, it has served as the community’s warming shelter, and the only source of safe food for many residents. (Submitted by Rosie Akavak)

State of emergency continues

The hamlet declared a state of emergency at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, and the Government of Nunavut followed suit that afternoon.

That’s nearly two days after power first went out.

Joanasie said outages are common across Nunavut, and usually they’re resolved by the following day.

“When things didn’t go that way, and with the level of uncertainty about when power would be restored, I think things got to a point where a local state of emergency was declared, and the Government of Nunavut also executed our triggers,” he said.

The territorial state of emergency is in effect until November 16.

Joanaise said if power isn’t restored within the next day, and the territorial government depletes its resources, there is the option to get federal assistance if necessary.