Published 3:57 pm Friday, October 30, 2026 By William Koblensky Varela Local Journalism Initative Northern News Service The Government of Nunavut cancelled a request for proposals to construct a new Larga Baffin medical boarding home in Ottawa on Sept. 24 after the bid came in too high. Health Minister Janet Pitsiulaaq Brewster confirmed the cancellation in the legislative assembly on Oct. 22. “The simple answer is the bid came in too high for the build,” Brewster said. On Oct. 26, Brewster said the Department of Health and the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure plan to issue another request for proposals, this time with different guidelines. In 2021, an application was submitted to the City of Ottawa for a 350-bed Larga Baffin, which would entail 176 rooms over five storeys. The City of Ottawa approved an application to build a new Larga Baffin in 2024, and the building permit will expire in November 2027. Larga Baffin’s existing location has 176 beds in 103 rooms and has been leased since 2015. The revelation that the GN had cancelled a Larga Baffin request for proposals process came following a question from Uqqummiut MLA Gordon Kautuk. “Can the minister clearly explain why this procurement process was cancelled, and can she indicate when her department’s contract with the current service provider will expire?” Kautuk asked Brewster in the House on Oct. 22. Brewster said she could not provide details due to the confidential nature of the bidding process.
GN cancelled bid process for new Larga Baffin because of high cost
