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Iqaluit councillors want inquiry into city vehicle accident

Call for tighter safety measures in public works department

ODILE NELSON

Less than one week after Margaret Jeffrey was killed by a city vehicle, Iqaluit municipal councillors called for a full inquiry into the accident and measures to ensure a similar incident does not happen again.

Councillors Glen Williams, Keith Irving and Chris Wilson all spoke out about the tragedy at city's council meeting on Aug. 9.

"Three accidents is too many. It's unacceptable. I think we need to go beyond the doors of this city hall. I think we need an external examination of these accidents and of the operations of the public works department," Irving said.

"The public needs to know that everything possible is being done to ensure their safety. The employees need to know that they have adequate training, equipment and procedures. And I think for this to be valued and be given credibility an external look will be helpful to everyone."

Jeffrey was struck and killed by a municipal vehicle outside Iqaluit's public health centre Sept 2. She is the third person to be killed by a municipal vehicle in less than three years. Her 11-month-old adopted daughter suffered a broken leg in the accident.

For his part, Williams suggested the city and its partners need to step up safety measures involving municipal vehicles.

"There's training programs now for driver certification and air tickets but there isn't one for renewal," he said. "If I take a first aid course its only good for two or three years and then I have to renew it, and take it again. I have to brush up on it."

Williams also recommended the Government of Nunavut partner with municipalities in implementing regular, independent inspection of municipal vehicles across the territory.

"Whenever we have an accident, a government inspector shows up and does an inspection after the fact, after something's happened. I think we should be asking the government to be doing inspections, spot inspections, whatever, on our equipment and on other communities' equipment as well because these type of accidents aren't unique just to Iqaluit," Williams said.

Councillor Chris Wilson joined his colleagues in calling for an inquest into the death and the city's public work procedures.

Wilson also said, though he was not blaming anyone for the accident, the city needs to educate the public on pedestrian safety.

"This is not a commentary on past incidents ... but the reality is that people have a tendency to walk with their eyes down and leave their safety up to somebody else and that's just asking for another accident."

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