Highway 3 sucks. Anyone who has driven the cattle trail that passes for Yellowknife's major highway, especially in the past two weeks, knows it.

The territorial government understands it, too, but thanks to the feds' financial straightjacket, there's only so much they can do.

Up came the idea of a toll that would raise $100 million over four years to fast-track reconstruction of Highway 3 and do what's necessary on the territory's other roads.

With barely enough money in its budget to pay for modest upkeep, a new fee was the only way Finance Minister Joe Handley could come up with the bucks. That will boost cost of living in Yellowknife by about $275 a year, partially offset by an increased Northern allowance.

Trucking companies don't like the plan and told the government as much at a hearing here last week.

They'll bear the full brunt of the permit cost with additional time, paperwork and expenses. And they pay enough to government already!

What other choice does the NWT have?

Chris Hanks, an environmental specialist at BHP Diamonds, told the hearing: "In any other jurisdiction in Canada, the government would make sure the infrastructure was there."

Yes, southern provinces have good roads and bridges and spend hundreds of millions each year to maintain them. The NWT is not a province. Here, it's the federal government that has the last word on how much money we get. That's what determines what roads are built and how much is spent on new schools, hospitals and the other infrastructure we so desperately need.

Until, and unless, Ottawa wakes up to the fact that the per capita funding formula for infrastructure aid doesn't add up in the North, the territorial government is going to have to be creative.

And we're the ones who are going to pay the price -- while billions in resource royalties continue to flow into the federal government's multi-billion surplus.

It's becoming increasingly clear that someone is going to get seriously hurt or die if we don't put an end to the antics of the macho speed demons racing up and down Highway 3.

The apparent need for speed by these young male drivers is frightening.

Not only are complaints pouring into the RCMP but all you have to do is drive out by the golf course and see the skid marks on the highway to realize this is not just a few young people goofing around. Then there are the ones that don't even leave city limits to put the pedal to the metal, but terrorize our streets late at night.

Police may have some merit in attributing this craze to the fact that there's been a rash of recent movies glorifying street racing.

But the fact remains that this type of activity isn't new and certainly shouldn't be written off as a fad.

It was 47 years ago when Hollywood legend James Dean died instantly when his speeding sports car crashed into an oncoming vehicle. If it is a fad, what is so cool about being dead at 24?

Police in Yellowknife have charged two drivers with stunting so far and have issued a zero tolerance policy on the activity.

We agree that these actions, along with going as far as beefing up patrols and suspending drivers' licenses, are good first steps in stopping these idiotic activities.

But until we change the attitudes of the drivers -- and drill home the fact that killing yourself, or others, isn't cool -- we'll continue to live with the risk of having a real tragedy on our hands.

We suggest if you feel such a need for speed you go home and get out the Playstation.

Editorial Comment
Darrell Greer
Kivalliq News

If Sustainable Development Minister Olayuk Akesuk has any aspirations of one day becoming a federal minister, or, for that matter, the first Inuit prime minister in Canadian history, we hope he was taking notes this past week while sharing the spotlight with Brian Tobin.

The federal industry minister and former premier of Newfoundland could instruct a course on the art of politics at any major university.

And Capt. Canada was at his very best during his brief stop in Rankin Inlet to sign an agreement to provide Internet access sites to seven Nunavut communities and acknowledge the official opening of the Canada-Nunavut Business Service Centre in the hamlet.

For with Tobin, politics are an art form.

This is not to take anything away from Tobin's effectiveness as a politician. His past record speaks for itself and we here at Kivalliq News will not be surprised if those who shook Tobin's hand at the Siniktarvik Hotel were shaking the hand of a future prime minister of Canada.

Tobin uses his Newfoundland heritage and natural charm to project a grassroots image.

In political circles, he has the enviable ability to come across as one of the people, the guy next door. The small gathering at the hotel got a brief, yet powerful, glimpse of that ability when Tobin made a point of setting aside his prepared speech in favour of "speaking from the heart," just as those gathered in the room with him were obviously doing.

And the charismatic leader was almost moved to tears by the performance of well-known Nunavut elder Mariano Aupilardjuk.

There was another lesson to be learned from Tobin during the gathering. When the minister spoke of Canada, he spoke of Canadians -- all Canadians. Although in Nunavut, he did not feel compelled to separate Nunavummiut from the rest of the country, as did his territorial counterpart.

He spoke of the development of Nunavut in partnership within the federal government and always in the context of all Canadians. Unique as Nunavummiut, yes! But, first and foremost, unique as Canadians.

A point a number of our territorial leaders should also make more frequently. For 'tis better to partner with Capt. Canada than to tug on his cape!

Editorial Comment
Malcolm Gorrill
Inuvik Drum

Inuvik residents will soon have the chance to see just how fit they are (or aren't).

A series of fitness appraisals are being organized by community health representative Alfred Moses, in conjunction with the physiotherapy department. Those hardy enough to take an appraisal will undergo a series of quick tests and will have the results explained to them.

Some people might discover they're not as strong, or have as much endurance, as they thought -- and have to endure ribbing from friends as a result -- but Moses pointed out the appraisals are part of efforts to encourage residents to become more active and live healthier lifestyles.

Plans are in the works to set up fitness groups in the community, with the idea being that people conduct an activity together, like walking or running. It's a good idea. Meeting at a set time week after week could encourage people who might not otherwise exercise regularly, and also combines exercise with a social event. Or as the old adage states, misery loves company.

Meetings serve useful purpose

Two community consultation meetings have been held in Inuvik in recent weeks pertaining to plans for the coming winter in terms of seismic and drilling programs.

Such meetings are useful. Not only do they give oil and gas industry firms the chance to explain their plans, those in attendance have the chance to voice any concerns or questions they might have.

In these recent meetings, as well as those held last fall, some good discussions have broke out over many topics, ranging from caring for the environment, to drug and alcohol policies.

It all serves to give people a better understanding of what's taking place, and can give industry representatives some food for thought as well.

New training program welcome

This September will hold special meaning for some young people across the Delta.

Starting this fall the Beaufort Delta Education Council is launching the Youth Entry Level Skills program. This will give high school students, and other young people up to the age of 29, the chance to gets skills based training in various fields.

The program is a good reminder that in today's world, education and training doesn't stop once high school is completed. It also serves as another example of the positive partnership that is possible between educators and industry.

Editorial Comment
Derek Neary
Deh Cho Drum, Fort Simpson

I don't like math. I failed algebra in high school. That being said, the following exercise in arithmetic is still worth reviewing before heading out to public meetings in the Deh Cho on Sept. 13 and 14 regarding the GNWT's proposed highway toll.

According to deputy finance minister Margaret Melhorn, the GNWT has calculated the following figures on the impact of the highway toll: a typical household of three people who consumes 2,000 litres of gasoline per year, 21,000 kilograms of groceries annually and 3,200 litres of heating fuel per year will pay an additional $38 yearly for gasoline, $50 for groceries and $60 for heating fuel. That amounts to $148 in extra expenses due to the proposed highway toll.

The government's attempt to offset higher prices is through an increase in the cost-of-living tax credit.

A wage earner with an income of $48,000 will gain an additional $132 each year. Those fortunate enough to be pulling in a salary of $66,000 will see their cost-of-living tax credit rise by $177, the maximum amount. Dual income households may actually realize a substantial windfall.

On the other hand, there are low-income families that will undoubtedly consume more than accounted for in the aforementioned example, and will receive a cost-of-living tax credit well below the maximum.

The extra expenses attributed to the highway toll don't take into account a variety of other goods and services that will become more costly due to the highway toll. Everything that is transported by truck to Fort Simpson from south of the NWT border is expected to increase by 2.6 cents per kilogram. If you're expecting to make some big-ticket purchases in the future, you're going to have to dig deeper in your pocket.

Maybe the math has your head spinning; welcome to the club. Hopefully we'll see you at the public meetings next month.

Remember, if the public and business community express enough opposition, there's a chance the government will back away from the proposed toll. The hotel tax never became a reality. This latest scheme could wind up in the same file.

Rocky roads

Driving in the North comes with a risk attached, especially for those from down south. Two men from Saskatchewan barely escaped with their lives after smacking right into four bison recently.

Sure, there are warning signs posted but many people disregard traffic signs, particularly at night, to their own peril. Bison don't reflect very well in headlights when you're approaching them at approximately 100 km/h in the dark. Try to keep the mighty beasts in mind.