Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (Oct 12/01) - Seniors, those on social assistance and low-income earners stand to be hit the hardest by the territorial government's proposed highway toll.

Joe Handley, minister of finance and economic development, answers questions on the proposed highway toll. - Derek Neary/NNSL photo

Economic Development Minister Joe Handley acknowledged that during a public meeting in Fort Simpson Wednesday evening.

However, he said the GNWT is studying ways to ensure those people are compensated. Other NWT residents should recoup the resulting higher costs of goods and services through an increase in the cost of living income tax credit, he suggested.

After public complaints that the reimbursement wouldn't be near enough, Handley told the 35 members of the audience the GNWT hasn't ruled out a further increase in that tax credit.

"To me there should be zero effect to people on average in the Northwest Territories ... if anything our intention is that people come out way ahead," Handley said. The aim is to make industry pay for road improvements, he said.

He corrected those who referred to the road toll as a tax. He said if it were applied as a tax, the GNWT would have to turn over 80 per cent of tax revenues to the federal government -- the existing financing formula stipulates that.

A dam misunderstanding

On another front, Handley said the GNWT is not a proponent of damming the Mackenzie River.

That assurance didn't stop Herb Norwegian, assistant negotiator for the Deh Cho First Nations and a member of the Liidli Kue First Nation, from making a poignant presentation opposing the dams. He said a significant percentage of traditional practices occur close to the river. He said aboriginal people would never support the dam, which would also affect cabins and grave sites.

"You're seeing people's whole way of life, people's history being affected directly ... you'll see this area turned into floating graveyards. That's very sensitive to our people," Norwegian said. "We definitely need to keep the rivers open. The river is what we're about."

Handley acknowledged that Power Corp. consultants drew up maps last year depicting dam sites and indicating areas of flooding, but he said those consultants were asked to identify maximum hydro-electricity potential. That doesn't mean the GNWT is supporting the initiative, Handley said.

"I don't think anybody in his right mind would support a 100-foot high dam," said MLA Jim Antoine.

An offer of support

On the contrary, Handley said the GNWT won't attempt to force any regions to invest in hydro-electricity, but will offer financial support to those that do. Such ventures could bring the regions a step closer to true autonomy, he suggested.

"We (the GNWT) don't have self-government right now because we're too dependent on Ottawa to give us money," said Handley.

He said "run of the river" projects were recommended, where a portion of the river would be diverted through turbines and then the flow would re-enter the river.