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More Nunavummiut workers get to enjoy Nunavut Day as a holiday

The Government of Nunavut has expanded who can celebrate Nunavut Day as a holiday.

Nunavut finally hit the win column officially at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Sydney, N.S., as the rink from the Iqaluit Curling Club defeated Quebec on Saturday by a score of 4-3. The smiling ladies are, from left, Megan Ingram, Jenine Bodner, Jennifer Blaney, Alison Griffin, Sadie Pinksen and coach Susanne Martin. photo courtesy of Curling Canada

As of this year, all industries regulated by the territory are able to take Nunavut Day as a day off work. That means this year’s July 9 holiday will include employees in grocery stories, construction and other Nunavut-owned businesses.

Previously, the holiday was only applicable to government employees under the Public Service Act.

However, those working directly for the Government of Canada and in other federally-regulated industries such as banks, airlines and Canada Post are still not eligible to observe Nunavut Day as a holiday.

July 9 was chosen to mark Nunavut Day because that’s when the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement Act came into force in 1999.