He certainly can't hope to make any inroads up here.

Duncan believes constitutional reform is misguided. He says an amended NWT Act will allow the West to "focus its energies on practical, cost-effective governance" and concludes that "there could not be a worse time to carry out a major redesign of government."

He couldn't be more wrong. It's because of the coming division, government spending cuts and renewed interest in resource exploration and land claims that the need to resolve questions of jurisdiction and delivery of services is more important than ever.

While we agree with his demand for straight answers from the minister of Indian and Norther affairs, the tone of the Duncan's report betrays a profound unfamiliarity with the North.

His call to shelve last fall's constitutional proposal and maintain the status quo solves nothing. His assertion that non-aboriginals are "very reluctant to take part or speak openly" is dangerous inaccurate. Too bad he didn't attend last November's town hall meeting in Yellowknife.

His oddly-titled report "Whither Bound," depicts beleaguered non-aboriginals in a sea of outrageous demands from land claim groups. Nowhere is there any sense of co-operation, negotiation or dialogue common in the North.

Mr. Duncan represents a riding in British Columbia and chose Edmonton to deliver his views on the future of the North.

Until he comes up here and has a look around, we respectfully suggest that he keep his simplistic misapprehensions to himself. (1/22/97)

Once and possibly future alderman John Dalton is suffering from Hamlet's dilemma: he can't make up his mind.

What is he, bureaucrat or businessman? It's this question, and a rule that forbids anyone in debt to the city for more than $500 from sitting on council, that forced him to resign last week.

He runs two pubs and a taxi firm and works for the federal government. Broad interests are well and good, but not if they result in a confused approach to municipal and personal economics.

Only after he has made up his mind should be invited back to council. (1/22/97)

Bank executives and their million-dollar paycheques took one on the chin with a recent court decision in Quebec.

Giantkiller Yves Michaud, with a couple of symbolic shares in hand, forced the banks to allow shareholders to set executive salaries.

Bank executives point to the salaries of sports stars as justification for their own. But sport stars bring people in the door. Now bank executives will have to prove their mettle. Maybe they're worth the millions. Maybe they're not. (1/22/97)