Nunavut leaders express frustration over $1M worth of unused elder vans

The promise was to deliver vans to communities so elders could get around. That was two years ago. Five communities were selected to receive the first vehicles. But in Coral Harbour, Mayor Patrick Metzer says their van remains parked, despite the real need for it to be on the road. Bring some elders to the health centre or over to church venues and community events. He says it's disappointing to have the van just sitting idly at the airport. Vans for Coral Harbour and other communities were promised by then-Premier P.J. Kiyak, but money was the problem, and the vans were called a million-dollar photo op. Politicians demanded answers in the ledge again and again and again. Premier John Mayne insists his government is working to make it come to life. He says there's now money for the vans, and the GN is creating a policy to get them on the road. He added they are looking for organizations to drive the vans. Cambridge Bay MLA Fred Peterson says their hamlet has a van too, but it too is stuck in park. I've seen some elders walking with a sled to go get water from the store, so to speak, so they're pulling a little plastic sled with them to grab some water. He says it would also be helpful as the community expands. Some of the houses are quite far from the centre of town now, so if elders have any medical appointments or need to get to the pharmacy, it's quite a walk for them. The premier says there isn't an exact date for when the vans will start running yet. Mahnur Mubarak, CBC News, Iqaluit.