Iqaluit plans clean-up blitz this month

Iqaluit's litter is reappearing as the snow disappears and a community clean-up is scheduled for next week.

Resident Becky Kilabuk says it's the same sight every year and she wishes it were different.

"A lot of the snow has melted since before I left town, and I was looking around at all the garbage and I was really hoping we could do something about it." she says.

"We are the capital of Nunavut and we should take the look and feel of the place more seriously."

The city's community clean-up will be the morning of Friday June 19, followed by a barbecue in the Iqaluit library parking lot.

Bylaw enforcement

The city will also run a large item pick-up for two weeks to save people a trip to the dump. They're asking people to pile their junk, such as furniture and appliances, in a neat pile at the end of their driveways. Then, from June 22 to July 6, the city will pick up and dispose of the items.

Iqaluit's Sustainability Co-ordinator Robyn Campbell says it's important that people participate in the pick-up program.

"What we are trying to do is encourage people to use the large item pickup," she says, "to avoid the possibility of having to worry about the Unsightly Lands bylaw."

Under the bylaw, property owners can be fined if their property is not neat, organized or pleasing to the eye. Things considered unsightly include derelict vehicles, general trash and even dog excrement.

The bylaw has been on the books for several years, but this year the city will be asking municipal enforcement to enforce it more proactively.