There will be no Nunavut Court of Justice proceedings in communities outside Iqaluit until June 1.
Chief Justice Neil Sharkey gave that direction on Friday based on the recommendation of Nunavut’s chief medical officer of health, according to Jessica Young, director of policy and planning for the Department of Justice.
Given the “extreme fluidity of this situation, cancelling at this point is the most responsible option,” Young stated in reference to the risk posed by the coronavirus COVID-19.
The court circuit for criminal and civil cases in communities outside of Iqaluit is expected to resume as of June 1, Young added.
Jury trials scheduled in the interim are also suspended with further determination expected to be made on May 4.
Criminal court was previously scheduled to be held in Pond Inlet Monday and civil court on Tuesday. Arviat, Cambridge Bay and Kimmirut were previously set for court proceedings at the end of this month.