Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

NNSL (Aug 31/98) - The economic future of Norman Wells darkened a little more with Imperial Oil's announcement of more cost-saving measures in that community.

Mayor Frank Pope said the giant oil company is looking at moving one of its departments from permanent residency at Norman Wells to a rotational basis.

The company's intentions were made known by a letter sent from Imperial Oil to Norman Wells town council.

The mayor said the move could lead to a glut of Imperial Oil houses on the Norman Wells market and a new subdivision in the town to continue being inactive.

"We'll be sending a letter to the company manager, inviting him to meet with council to discuss the ramifications of this move, along with the president of our Chamber of Commerce," said Pope.

The move would affect 12 Imperial Oil employees in Norman Wells and their families.

"This is a major change, especially when it was only four years ago that they went from a rotational basis to bringing all the workers into the town to live here permanently," said Pope.

"I guess we, as a community, are at the mercy of Imperial Oil's whims as to its way of doing business."

Pope said the letter indicated the change would likely happen during a two-year transition period, but that's not what he's hearing in the community.

"It's my understanding, in talking with people in the community, that it's a done deal which may start fairly soon."

Pope said during a council meeting Tuesday night, Imperial Oil's annual report for 1997 was read, highlighting all the positive things it does in the North.

"We feel this change of policy flies in the face of their annual report and all the good things they tell us they do."

Pope said it's only been two years since Imperial Oil closed the Norman Wells refinery and his concern is what's next to go.

Imperial Oil activity accounts for more than 75 per cent of the Norman Wells economy.

Although there will be quite a bit of oil exploration taking place around Norman Wells this winter, its oil field is in decline and Pope said the town has to look at secondary industry for its future.

The community has developed an Economic Diversification Plan: Norman Wells: The Next 15 Years. Where do we go from here?

"Let's assume there is no more oil 15 or 20 years from now," said Pope.

"Do we want to be another Uranium City or a Pine Point and no longer exist, or do we want to continue to thrive as a municipality?"