The Diocese of the Arctic has offered C$2.65 million to the receivers of a construction company that went bankrupt while rebuilding St. Jude’s Cathedral in Iqaluit on Baffin Island. In 2005 the Arctic’s “Igloo Cathedral” – built in the shape of an Eskimo igloo was destroyed by arson. Through the proceeds of its insurance settlement and a Canada-wide fundraising appeal the diocese was able to pay C$5.5 million of the million rebuilding cost. The builder, Dowland Contracting Ltd, accepted a promissory note in 2011 for the balance due of C$3.94 million. However, in May 2013 Dowland was declared insolvent and the balance due from the diocese was assumed by the Royal Bank of Canada. The Rt. Rev. David Parsons, Bishop of the Arctic told a Nunavat newspaper on 10 April 2014 the diocese was awaiting a response from the receivers to its offer, which if accepted must be approved by the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta.
