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ᐋᓐᓂᐊᖃᕐᓇᙱᑦᑐᓕᕆᔨᒃᑯᑦ
Department of Health
Munaqhiliqiyitkut
Ministère de la Santé

November 13, 2018

NorthWest Company
Gibraltar House
77 Main Street
Winnipeg MB, R3C 1A3

Sent via email:

Attention:

Dear sirs,
Re: November 9, 2018 post fire inspection of NorthMart store located in Iqaluit

An inspection of the remaining structure of the NorthMart store was completed. The power was not
functioning at the time of the inspection. The retail area of the store was affected by smoke only. Water
has spilled over to the retail area but has only affected the floor. Product on the shelves was not
affected by water.

Product in the freezer display cases have thawed or partially thawed. The product in the freezers is
unaffected by smoke as the doors remained closed throughout the event. Refreezing the product can
result in food quality issues such as crystallization and/or freezer burn. The product is still within safe
refrigeration temperatures to be used should you decide to donate the product.

Product requiring refrigeration has been temperature abused and is above 4C. The temperature abuse
occurred through the lack of power to the refrigeration units. Thus the product is to be discarded.

Soot accumulation varies by location. The retail area closest to the warehouse shows heavier
accumulation of soot. The front of the store shows minor settling of soot.

Given the invasive nature of smoke and chemicals contained in smoke from a building fire, the following
criteria is to be followed regarding product disposal. Packaging that is solid such as glass, metal or
heavier rigid plastic (plastic that holds it shape) can be considered to be unaffected and safe for
consumption upon opening. Open foods, foods with soft covering such as thin plastics, cardboard or
paper is at risk of smoke permeating the product and is to be discarded.

Food wares and utensils such as spatulas, pans etc. may be used but should be washed or come with
some direction to wash the utensil prior to use. Medicines that are in soft packaging are to be discarded

Iqaluit Pangnirtung Cambridge Bay Rankin Inlet Headquarters – Iqaluit

Public Health Unit Building 808, 2nd Floor Helen Maksagak Wellness Center Sivummut Building
Building 1091 Box 304, Centre Bag 72, Box 1000,
Box 1000, Pangnirtung, NU Box 83, Rankin Inlet, NU Iqaluit, NU
Iqaluit, Nunavut X0A 0R0 Cambridge Bay, NU, X0C 0G0 X0A 0H0
X0A 0H0 Phone (867) 473-2600 X0B 0C0 Phone (867) 645 8071 Phone (867) 975-5700
Phone (867) 975 4800 Fax (867) 473-2657 Phone (867) 983 4076 Fax (867) 645 8272 Fax (867) 975 5755
Fax (867) 975 4833 Fax (867) 983 4063
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ᐋᓐᓂᐊᖃᕐᓇᙱᑦᑐᓕᕆᔨᒃᑯᑦ
Department of Health
Munaqhiliqiyitkut
Ministère de la Santé

due to the potential for smoke damage. Band-Aids gauze and other items that are coming in contact
with damaged skin should be discarded due to the increase risk of exposure through the skin.

Products that are discarded are to be disposed of so that they cannot be salvaged or scavenged by the
public. Disposal at the landfill followed by compaction and covering is preferred.

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns regarding the above requirements. I may be
contacted by email at gthibault@gov.nu.ca or by phone at 867 975 4817.

Respectfully,

Greg Thibault
Environmental Health Officer

Iqaluit Pangnirtung Cambridge Bay Rankin Inlet Headquarters – Iqaluit

Public Health Unit Building 808, 2nd Floor Helen Maksagak Wellness Center Sivummut Building
Building 1091 Box 304, Centre Bag 72, Box 1000,
Box 1000, Pangnirtung, NU Box 83, Rankin Inlet, NU Iqaluit, NU
Iqaluit, Nunavut X0A 0R0 Cambridge Bay, NU, X0C 0G0 X0A 0H0
X0A 0H0 Phone (867) 473-2600 X0B 0C0 Phone (867) 645 8071 Phone (867) 975-5700
Phone (867) 975 4800 Fax (867) 473-2657 Phone (867) 983 4076 Fax (867) 645 8272 Fax (867) 975 5755
Fax (867) 975 4833 Fax (867) 983 4063