Arctic dwellers fight social insurance number changes
New federal changes mean people can no longer apply for a card by mail
The Canadian Press
Posted: Mar 6, 2013 3:00 PM CST
Last Updated: Mar 6, 2013 4:22 PM CST
Some Nunavummiut say they will now be forced to travel to Iqaluit or to one of two other Service Canada stations in the territory to get a social insurance number card. (The Canadian Press)
Imagine having to pay thousands of dollars just to get a card with your social insurance number.
That's what some northerners say will be the result of recent federal changes to the application process.
Ottawa recently altered the rules for first-time card applicants so that they can no longer apply for the card by mail.
Everyone has to show up in person at a Service Canada office, but only three of Nunavut's 28 communities have such offices. That means people in Grise Fiord must travel to Iqaluit to get the card — a $6,600 airfare and a week's journey.
Nunavut Premier Eva Aariak has protested to the federal government.
She says the problem is common to all Canada's remote, fly-in communities, not just those in the North.
© The Canadian Press, 2013
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