My understanding of what happens when you arrive in Iqaluit

• You will be meet at the airport by a staff person from the Baffin Regional Hospital.  He will take you, and your luggage, to the hotel to check in.
• BRH will also give you some taxi chits. There are several different taxi companies. Check the chits to determine which company you are to use. The cash fare is $6 per person
• The best way to get around Iqaluit is by taxi or by walking. It is not uncommon to share your taxi with many other people. As well, you do not have to wait for an empty taxi either.
• After you check in at the hotel, take a taxi to the Baffin Regional Hospital.  If it is a nice day, the hospital is an easy walk from the Frobisher Inn. (Across the large gully at the front of the hotel).
• Darlene McPherson, or one of the other staff members, will meet you at the reception desk.
• Lunch is usually eaten at hospital cafeteria. 
• Darlene will have you fill in several forms [sometime during the week]-
• There is a per diem for food and incidentals of ~ $103 per day. The Dept Health & Social Services will mail this cheque to you.  Food is expensive so bring some cash to cover your needs during the week. There is a Royal Bank ATM in the Frobisher Hotel lobby.
• You will also fill out a second form that confirms "actual hours worked". Darlene faxes the document to me.  Based on this paperwork, OHSNI will mail you a cheque for "payment of professional services".
• Knowing hospitals, I am sure there is even more paperwork and forms. Darlene will help you with any of these details.
• On the morning on your last day in Iqaluit, check out of the hotel and bring your suitcases with you to the hospital.
• The hospital staff will take you to the airport for your trip home.

Travel and Lodging Arrangements- Baffin Specialist Clinics

1. About six weeks before you are to go north, OSHNI will contact the Nunavut Department of Health and Social Services to request that they book the flights and hotel rooms.   This is an important reason why we need to know the name of everyone travelling north as soon as possible.  Without legal first and last names, of each passenger, the airlines can not issue tickets.

2. We usually book travel on First Air as their flight times work best with the clinic schedules.  First Air usually leavesOttawa at ~ 9: 00 and arrives in Iqaluit at ~ 12:30.    The return flight on Friday leaves Iqaluit at ~13:00 and lands inOttawa ~16:30, weather permitting.  It is a good idea to call First Air in the morning prior to going to theOttawaAirport.  Remember you need ID at the airport.

3. We usually book rooms at the Frobisher Inn.  OHSNI requests non-smoking rooms. If you smoke, please let us know and we will gladly revise our booking request.  If this facility is full, the Government of Nunavut reserves the right to substitute an alternate hotel.

4. When the travel arrangements are finalized, OSHNI receives a fax.  Unless you give us alternate instructions. we forward this information to your office.

5. Review the travel paperwork carefully.  If you need any change in times, dates or return location please let us know ASAP. (Montreal has a direct flight from Iqaluit) .

6.Nunavut's Department of Health and Social Services pays for the flight and hotel room directly.  You should only be asked to cover items such as any alcohol beverages or long distance phone calls.

7. There is a travel per dium paid for food and incidentals while on work related travel. Any authorized medical specialists, their residents, nurses and technicians are all entitled to these funds.  As of June 2007, the daily amount was ~$118 per full workday.  While in the north, you will be asked to sign a green travel claim. The Government of Nunavut will mail you a cheque (after you return home).  Please bring enough money to cover your food and personal needs while in the north.