First icebreaker in Iqaluit expected Monday

The first icebreaker of the 2016 season is expected to arrive in Iqaluit on Monday, opening the way for this season's supply ships.

With no roads to this territory, goods can only be sent by air or ship. Last year, the arrival of the first ship was delayedfor weeks,with the icebreaker PierreRadissonwaiting at the mouth ofFrobisherBay, withunseasonalice conditions, fog and wind direction delaying its arrival.

• Ice conditions hold up resupply of Iqaluit, east Hudson Bay

This year, the Pierre Radisson is expected weeks earlier than last season, but its finalarrival date is subject to ice conditions inFrobisherBay.

In a media release, the Coast Guard said that ice conditions in the area will begreatly affected by the arrival of the ship.