It seems that the concept of party politics is rearing its head yet again in the NWT.
The New Democratic Party plans to field candidates in the next territorial election. One of the arguments for party politics in the North is that it will somehow make MLAs more accountable. Perhaps it will, but to whom?
There seems to be a theory that party politics will somehow solve all the problems we have experienced, and are experiencing, politically in the North. One only has to look to Ottawa or any of the provincial capitals to see that party politics is not the ultimate answer to all woes.
While party politics may solve some problems, it will create an entirely new set: little things like party lines and members who are responsible to the party rather than constituents.
Before we start encouraging politicians to run along party lines, we should also consider that parties pander to the population and almost half the population of the NWT resides in Yellowknife.
At a time when the centralization of power is being seriously questioned, do we really want to further aggravate the situation by making Yellowknife an even greater player in territorial politics?
Do we actually need or want party politics to come to the North, or is it just another layer of government we neither need nor can afford?
Perhaps it would be better to take a closer look at our existing consensus system with an eye to maximizing what's right with it and minimizing its flaws. We also challenge our MLAs -- Rather than replace our system, why not work harder to make the system work better?
Why repeat the mistakes made by our southern counterparts when we have a chance to keep the power to where it truly belongs -- the people instead of a party.
It makes good economic sense for the GNWT to grant permission to U.S.-based Ice Diamonds to set up a diamond cutting and polishing factory in Hay River.
By offering training funds to the company, the GNWT's investment will help upwards of 40 Northerners secure the training necessary to work at the plant.
Better yet, it will help Hay River reach its goal of having a piece of the action in the emerging Northern diamond industry. Hay River Mayor Jack Rowe and his colleagues should be commended for their long and hard lobbying, which is finally starting to pay off.
Now, all that is needed is for BHP to agree to sell diamonds from its Ekati mine to Ice Diamonds and the seeds of a secondary diamond industry will be firmly planted in the North.
As difficult as it is, as expensive as it is, decentralization in Nunavut makes too much sense on too many levels to water down or abandon.
The most apparent benefit of spreading around the government jobs is a reduction in social damage caused by chronic unemployment.
Decentralization is certainly only a small step toward healing what ails Nunavut, but it will be many small steps and not a few miracle cures that will do it.
But spreading the jobs around will only work for the people of Nunavut if the goal of a representative public service is also achieved.
Ultimately, responsibility for that falls not to government, but to individuals who can claim the title Nunavuutmiut. Inuit and non-Inuit residents who call the eastern Arctic home must be willing to make the sacrifices and put in the time and effort it takes to compete with others for the jobs. The public deserves nothing less than the best service its money can buy.
The main benefit of decentralization will be the creation of opportunity where none has existed.
Government dollars earned and spent in communities, instead of squirrelled away to be spent in the south, will create opportunities for small business.
The prospect, not promise, of a job in their home community will provide Nunavut youth with something to strive for and bring a focus they will carry into their lives.
Decentralization must be sensible. Most of the alterations the government recently announced needed to be made. It makes sense that the liquor warehouse, to be re-located in Gjoa Haven, stay in the capital. That was not among the changes announced by the government. On top of the costs of relocating the warehouse to the community, the ongoing increased transport costs will be born directly by Nunavut consumers.
Decentralization needs to become reality, but careful thought needs to be given to its implementation.