Auditor general of Canada reviewing Nunavut drinking water management

Published 12:14 pm Wednesday, August 5, 2026

By William Koblensky Varela Local Journalism Initiative Northern News Services

Nunavut’s drinking water management is coming under scrutiny from the highest oversight office in the country.

The Auditor General of Canada will conduct a performance audit of the territory’s drinking water management.

The audit results are expected to be released in 2027.

“As this audit is still in the planning phase, its scope, methodology, and timelines are still being determined,” the Office of the Auditor General of Canada stated.

The auditor general independent scrutinizes government programs and organizations and reports findings to the territorial legislative assembly.

Boil water advisories are common in the territory. Arctic Bay residents have been asked to boil their water before consuming since Aug. 26, 2024. Pond Inlet’s boil water advisory began on July 17, 2025.

Sanikiluaq has been under a do not consume water order since 2016.

Rankin Inlet had a boil water advisory lifted on July 27 after 12 days and Cambridge Bay had its own advisory lifted on July 31 after eight days.

Gjoa Haven had a boil water advisory that ran from Jan. 15 to Aug. 4.