GJOA HAVEN — Health officials and the retail operator say sightings of rodents at the community’s Northern store have dropped substantially after months of reports that began in late 2025, but monitoring and prevention work are ongoing to keep food supplies safe for residents.
Public-health staff from the Government of Nunavut’s Department of Health were notified by both a pest-control contractor and the Northern’s local manager that the level of rodent activity in the retail space has "significantly decreased," according to department communications. The store remained open while authorities assessed food-safety risks.
Timeline and current status
Residents first reported seeing rodents in the store in September 2025, community members told Nunavut News. The North West Company — which owns the Northern chain — and contractors have since carried out control measures. Officials say the combination of pest-control work and enhanced monitoring has brought sightings down.
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| First public reports of rodents | September 2025 | Reported by residents |
| Pest-control and mitigation measures | Ongoing | Underway |
| Current assessment by GN | August 2026 | Activity largely resolved but monitoring continues |
Public-health response and food-safety rules
The Department of Health reiterated that food premises posing a health hazard would be closed. A department spokesperson said that if a facility is open to the public it is considered safe for people to buy food. The department also confirmed environmental health officers are watching for any signs of renewed infestation, particularly risks posed by incoming shipments.
“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,”
The department had previously stated that any presence of rodents constitutes a food-safety violation. Officials say they will continue to work with the store to ensure it meets public-health standards and to manage the risk that pests could be reintroduced through supplies arriving in the community.
Retail operator and local observations
The North West Company’s regional representative described progress as encouraging and said store staff, together with their pest-control provider, continue daily monitoring and remain ready to take further action if needed. While some residents have referred to the animals as rats, both the Government of Nunavut and the company maintain the infestations involved mice.
- Who is monitoring: GN environmental health officers and the store’s pest-control contractor.
- Operator response: The North West Company reports ongoing daily checks and partnership with contractors.
- Key risk: Reintroduction of pests via food shipments.
What this means for residents
Community members can take reassurance that authorities have not ordered a closure and say the location is deemed safe to purchase food. At the same time, the history of sightings and the territory’s designation of any rodent presence as a food-safety violation mean vigilance remains necessary. Residents should continue to follow any local advisories and report fresh sightings to health officials so environmental services can respond quickly.
The situation highlights challenges faced by remote northern communities, where supply lines and climate conditions can affect pest control. Continued cooperation between the GN, the retail operator and contracted pest-control teams will determine whether the improvements hold.
Officials did not provide a timeline for when monitoring might be reduced or for any additional audits of the store’s food-safety compliance. Both the health department and the North West Company said they would take further action if required.
For now, the consensus from government and the retailer is that the rodent activity in the Gjoa Haven Northern has been largely resolved, but the risk of reintroduction means regular inspections and preventive measures will remain in place.
