Yellowknife Couple Faces Eviction as Renovations Loom

A couple from Yellowknife is grappling with potential homelessness as they face eviction from their apartment due to upcoming renovations. The situation for Cindy Nitsiza and her partner Louis Chartrand has worsened after a fire in May 2025 destroyed their original home, forcing them to relocate within the same building. With winter approaching, Nitsiza is anxious about their uncertain future, expressing her fears about being left without a place to live.

Nitsiza and Chartrand currently reside in a unit plagued by issues such as insect infestations and lack of hot water. Despite these uncomfortable conditions, Nitsiza remarked that having a roof over their heads is preferable to the alternative of being homeless, a situation she has experienced in the past. “I don’t want to be on the street,” she stated, highlighting the imminent danger posed by dropping temperatures.

The couple received an eviction notice from Range Lake Developments, their landlord, indicating that they must vacate their apartment by September 30, 2025, to allow for extensive renovations. According to the notice, the renovations are necessary to address various safety issues, and the company emphasized that work cannot commence while tenants are still living in the building.

In an official statement, Range Lake Developments explained that the renovation project is complex and may take “many, many months” to complete. The company expressed hope that the two-month notice period would provide tenants adequate time to secure alternative accommodations. However, Nitsiza stated that despite applying for other housing options, she remains on a waiting list.

As winter looms, Nitsiza’s concerns deepen. She has reached out to potential housing providers but remains uncertain about her options. A lawyer representing the couple, Peter Adourian, plans to appear before the N.W.T.’s rental officer to argue that the eviction constitutes a “renoviction.” Under the territory’s Residential Tenancies Act, tenants forced to leave due to renovations have the right to return after repairs are completed, known as the right to first refusal.

Nitsiza and Chartrand are now in a precarious situation, with limited shelter options available, especially during the winter months when facilities often reach full capacity. Adourian noted that the city lacks shelters accommodating opposite-sex couples, which further complicates their search for help.

The couple’s plight underscores the broader challenges faced by tenants in similar situations, particularly in regions like Yellowknife, where housing options can be scarce. As they await a decision regarding their eviction, Nitsiza and Chartrand are left to confront the chilling uncertainty of their future.