By Kira Wronska Dorward Local Journalism Initiative Reporter First Fish, a five-year-old non-profit company based out of Toronto, grew out of president Michel Labbe’s involvement with Toronto-based non-profit condominium development. Labbe then grew a name for himself nationally by developing affordable housing initiatives, and began looking at a new opportunity in Qikiqtarjuaq. That was when First Fish was spawned. “I went up to Nunavut to work on housing, with a model where home ownership doesn’t require grants, but does require a job,” Labbe recalled. With up to 60 per cent unemployment in some communities, “it become clear we couldn’t get involved in housing without employment creation.” Initial experiments with Arctic char and social enterprises were “touch and go,” until First Fish found the “perfect partner” in Pangnirtung. “We’re very happy…
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