Fewer rodents in Gjoa Haven Northern store, infestation believed over: GN

Published 7:59 am Monday, August 10, 2026 By William Koblensky Varela Local Journalism Initiative Northern News Service The Government of Nunavut’s Department of Health has been advised by a pest control contractor and the Northern store manager in Gjoa Haven that the rodent infestation in that community’s store has been “largely resolved.” Sightings of rodents in the store go back to at least September 2025, residents told Nunavut News. However, the Northern’s regional director of operations told the Department of Health that “rodent activity has significantly decreased.” Although the health department did not explicitly confirm whether or not the Northern in Gjoa Haven was still in violation of food safety rules, a spokesperson said the store would be closed if it was unsafe to purchase food there. “Any food premises that are unsafe or pose a health hazard to consumers would be closed. If a facility is open to the public, it is considered safe for people to purchase food,” said Charmaine Deogracias, manager of communications for the GN department. The store does not present a health hazard, according to the department. In January, the department stated that any presence of rodents was a food safety violation. “The department will continue working closely with the Northern store to ensure it meets public health and food safety standards,” Deogracias said. There remains a risk that pests can get reintroduced to the retail location through shipments of food, according to Deogracias. GN environmental health officers are monitoring and attempting to manage that risk. A spokesperson for The North West Company, which owns the Northern store chain, said they were encouraged by the progress. “We have seen continued progress and are encouraged by the results of the measures in place. Our store team continues to monitor the store daily in partnership with our pest control provider and will take any additional action necessary, if required,” said Brigitte Burgoyne, The North West Company’s director of communications. While Gjoa Haven residents have described the rodents as rats, the GN and The North West Company say the critters are mice. The North West Company has 21 Northern stores and one Northmart location in Nunavut.