Here are some fun facts about some of CTR’s greatest customers:

So how do people in Nunavut, Canada’s newest territory, get around without roads? Where does their water and food come from? Is there really a Tim Hortons there? In the largest and least populated region of Canada–covering over 2 million square kilometres–here are 7 surprising facts about life in Nunavut.

There are No Roads in Nunavut

This isn’t entirely true. There are roads within all communities, but there are no roads to connect the 25 communities with each other (except for a 32 km stretch between Arctic Bay and Nanisivik). Instead of hopping on a bus, locals have a different form of public transit: small planes.

The only other way to reach communities is by boat. Some of those along the coast are included on small expedition cruise ship itineraries, like those run by Adventure Canada.

Taking a Taxi in Iqaluit

As the capital city of Nunavut, Iqaluit has a population hovering around 7,000, the largest in the territory. Even in the “big city,” though, there isn’t very far to go from one side of town to the other.

If you take a taxi, there is only one price: $6. The museum, legislative assembly, visitor’s centre and a few hotels are within walking distance of each other, but heading up to the newer part of the city or the neighbouring community of Apex (where you’ll find original Hudson’s Bay Co. buildings) is usually taken by taxi.

Recycling and Composting

There is no municipal recycling program in Nunavut. Some residents who travel outside of the territory on a regular basis actually take bottles and stacks of paper with them to recycle down south.

For those interested in growing their own produce, there is a small and seasonal greenhouse in downtown Iqaluit. Composting is done through one man with the Bill Mackenzie Humanitarian Society. He voluntarily visits those on his list every two weeks, picking up their compost and taking it to an old dump site where it is eventually used again in the greenhouse.

The Beloved Sealift

As you can imagine, getting groceries shipped up north can be inconsistent. There are grocery stores in each community, but prices are exceedingly high. A two litre carton of milk can ring in at $12.49, with most other items being about double the cost than we’re used to.

A sealift carrying dried goods arrives after the ice breaks up in the summer. Families who can afford it will pre-order their food for the rest of the year and wait for the sealift’s arrival so they can fill their cupboards.

Over the years, we have developed a reputation for outstanding customer service and as a result, we have been recognized as a North American leader providing best-in-class customer service, expertise, and quality.

Please click on the link below to read more. 

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Winnipeg, MB- Concern was raised the other day when one of our drivers was side swiped by a driver texting on their phone. Thankfully all parties were fine- but rose concern to how many people are still using their phones without consequence. I was urged to research the facts our distracted driving and what our industry is doing to reduce this problem.

There are many new simulators, and information surrounding distracted driving, but upon further research the one I found most significant was CAA’s Distracted Driving simulator (http://distracteddriving.caa.ca/). It was thought provoking to see the magnitude of our behaviours in the car. Since July of 2010- the new law states that Manitobans will be fined upwards to $200 and lose 2 demerits for using a mobile device while operating a vehicle and this may be why:

• Cell phones are one of the most common distractions for drivers. Drivers engaged in text messaging on a cellular phone are 23 times more likely to be involved in a crash or near crash event compared with non-distracted drivers. (Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, 2010)
• 84% of distracted-driving-related fatalities in the US were tied to the general classification of carelessness or inattentiveness (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2009)
• 80% of collisions and 65% of near crashes have some form of driver inattention as contributing factors (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2010)
• Distracted drivers are 3 times more likely to be in a crash than attentive drivers (Alberta Transportation, 2011)
• Driver distraction is a factor in about 4 million motor vehicle crashes in North America each year
• Economic losses caused by traffic collision-related health care costs and lost productivity are at least $10 billion
• In 2010, distracted driving was a contributing factor in 104 collision fatalities in British Columbia (RCMP)

We also wanted to provide you with what our car manufacturers are working on in order to diminish the effects of these habits. That being said- we wish everyone safe travels on the road this spring and summer.