The company looking after the GNWT's new on-the-land homeless camp on the Ingraham Trail is one which people may not be familiar with.
NWT Integration and Community Services (ICS), a NGO based in Yellowknife, was awarded the $650,000 contract to operate the camp, which can accommodate up to 25 people, according to Robert Tordiff, assistant deputy minister for the Department of Executive and Indigenous Affairs.
Almost all of that money is coming from the federal government, save $7,000 from the GNWT.
Not much is known about ICS because it doesn't have much of a track record. A look at the most recent financial information filed by the organization showed that its reported spending was $300 in 2023. That was to acquire its corporate registration and operating license.
ICS also disclosed receiving contributions from members that also totalled to $300 that same year.
Eric Neba, ICS' executive director, said the reason why so little was spent is because it wasn't performing any services.
"We started operating official programs early this year," he said, adding that it did operate programs last year, but they were voluntary and not funded with taxpayer money.
"We had a couple of programs, we had youth programs that we ran," said Neba. "I'll keep it at that for now."
ICS has a staff of 15 that will work at the camp at various times. For operations, which will be 24 hours a day, Neba said the amount of people working there depends on the time of day.
"Minimum should be two support staff and one supervisor on site," said Neba, noting everyone he's employed are all from Yellowknife.
Neba wouldn't divulge how much a staff member makes, though he did admit that ICS will have to disclose their wages come 2024's financial reports
"It's a personal choice and an organizational choice," said Neba, explaining why he wouldn't disclose that information when SA国际影视传媒 spoke with him on Wednesday.
A quick look at the job site Indeed shows two positions available at ICS, including a and a .
For the former, the job posting states they would be paid around $27 an hour, working 12 hours a day, either from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. or vice versa, while a camp cook would make anywhere between $250 to $300 a day. The posting does not specify how many hours they would be working a day.
Both job postings are a fixed-term contract that spans two months.
In addition to ICS' staff, 62掳 North is also providing an ambulance and medic on site.
"We contracted them for paramedic services," said Neba.
Neba said he would not disclose how much ICS is paying for 62掳 North's services.
For anyone looking for more information on ICS, its website probably won't provide much. It features one main page with stock photos taken outside the NWT. The site states it has staff ranging between case managers to outreach workers, but no one is named. The same goes for ICS' business partners.
"That website is still under construction," Neba explained.
When SA国际影视传媒 asked how long ICS' site has been under construction, Neba said he didn't need to answer.
He did say ICS has a technician working to improve its website, but they're working on a voluntary basis.
Yellowknife North MLA Shauna Morgan told SA国际影视传媒 that she, too, has heard comments over the appearance of ICS' website.
"Many people have pointed this out to me," she said. "It's pretty sparse. Their website doesn't look good."
Morgan added that, to be fair, ICS likely hasn't had many resources to put towards their site.
Neba also told SA国际影视传媒 that ICS doesn't have any money currently budget for a makeover, which would explain its current state.
Morgan said there's always room for more people to work in support of the underhoused population, calling this initiative a positive sign.
Still, she said she's aware of the risks, mentioning the NGO's lack of experience, being outside city limits, and the general speed of which this was put together.
"I don't think we should shy away from anything because there are risks," she said. "The concern is that this was all put together quite quickly and and there was a rightful sense of urgency with winter."
Morgan added the the program is funded to last for 10 weeks.
"We're being told there's work being done to establish more permanent supportive housing in town starting later this winter," she said, adding that depending on how well this new program is received, it might happen again but for now, it is unclear.
