Doug Ashbury
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Nov 24/99) - There's a saying that goes, "If not you, then who? If not now, then when? And if not, then why?"

And when it comes to business opportunities between Yellowknife and Cambridge Bay, the Kitikmeot region's largest community, it's a saying that may have more than a modicum of merit.

Earlier this year, Canadian North, through its Northern Enterprise Program, offered a dozen Yellowknife businesspeople a chance to meet with Cambridge Bay business representatives.

The program's aim was to give business a chance to make contacts. And if partnerships are forged or deals signed down the road, this will likely give Canadian North more customers and/or cargo in the air.

Sometimes, all it takes is a visit to another market to identify potential new business.

Take Superior Propane.

"We're in the region looking to see what we can do. We get to see the community and see what their needs are. You never know where the connection will go," Ken Yoder, Superior Propane Inc. customer service supervisor, said.

And as it happens there is some business that may be done.

Cambridge Bay has numerous propane tanks which, once spent, do little else but take up space.

"There's no provision here for refilling them. It's like throwing away peanut butter jars," Cambridge Bay Economic Development officer Cliff Sabirsh said.

"We're looking forward to talking with Ken (Yoder). He came here to say, 'What can we do?' He's enthusiastic about doing trade," he said. "There's an example of somebody who didn't know what to expect, but said let's go and see what we can do."

Sabirsh said every firm that participated in the trade mission could serve a role in Cambridge Bay's economy.

Cambridge Bay does not have a full-fledged general insurance agency, and maybe the population can't support a stand alone operation. That's where a company like Arctic Insurance Brokers could do business in Cam Bay, Sabirsh said. Arctic Insurance may want to do a mail drop to access the market here, he suggested.

As for the NWT Chamber -- chamber president Kevin Diebold was among the delegation -- Sabirsh said the organization could be a valuable resource for individuals who may attempt to revive the Cambridge Bay Chamber of Commerce.

The common thread is the fact that the group came to Cambridge Bay and presented information to the community, Sabirsh said.

Yellowknife businesspeople agreed that despite the fact that Cambridge Bay residents look to Iqaluit as their capital, ties remain strong with Yellowknife. Several of the businesspeople suggested the proximity of Yk to the Kitikmeot is a strong card in the business deck, especially with the costs associated with Northern air miles.

"The quick flight reminds us just how close we are to the Kitikmeot," Peter Neugebauer, the City of Yellowknife's economic development director, said.

Cambridge Bay Mayor Wilf Wilcox suggested economic benefits to continue close ties between Cambridge Bay and Yellowknife should not be hindered by politics.

As a businessman, Wilcox said there's been a lot of southern goods bought by Cambridge Bay residents through the mail.

Yellowknife didn't seem to care at the loss of business, but that's changing, he said.

"Now we see (Yellowknife) companies investing in stock. I can carry less inventory here because there's more in Yellowknife." So if a Yellowknife company has the stock, Wilcox can buy it from Yellowknife.

"There has to be a strong decision by Yellowknife businesses to keep the association strong," especially with the potential for resource development in the Kitikmeot, Wilcox said, adding, with continued emphasis on building strong ties, it will be easier for Cambridge Bay to bring Yellowknife services, experience and training to the Kitikmeot community.

"I think it can all grow."