Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (Mar 01/02) - It's time for the Fort Simpson Chamber of Commerce to "walk the walk."

So says chamber president Duncan Canvin, who was elected to a third straight term at last Thursday's annual general meeting.

"I said, 'Let's make something happen instead of just sitting here waiting for something to happen. Let's be a catalyst,'" Canvin said following the meeting, which 32 people attended.

He said he hopes to see development progress in the Deh Cho region in 2002. Businesses that support the oil and gas industry could thereby be attracted. However, the federal government is going to have to become more industry friendly, he said.

"We've basically had Mr. (Justice Thomas) Berger burned in effigy and here the federal government doesn't do a damn thing to recognize that," he said.

Another area where the chamber is seeking improvement is tourism.

Jim Antoine, territorial minister of Renewable Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development and MLA for Nahendeh, flew in for Thursday's chamber meeting and took note of several concerns expressed by members.

Having had difficulty making quorum at their monthly meetings over the past year, the chamber is switching to luncheon meetings rather than Thursday evenings in hopes of boosting attendance. Otherwise, the chamber is going strong. Last year there were 56 members, only down slightly from an all-time high of 65 the year before. The organization's financial statement is healthy too.

"I'm really looking forward to this year. We have a good (chamber) board representing a good cross-section of the businesses in town," Canvin said.

Addressing business concerns that affect the entire region, the chamber is inviting enterprises from other communities to become associate members. Although they wouldn't have voting rights, Canvin said outside businesses could still voice their concerns, access pertinent information and possibly have the chamber lobby on their behalf.

"I figured we'd extend a bit of an olive branch," he said. "I always like to have many voices added to mine, so when the chamber speaks it's not just a couple of misfits on the side."

Since the chamber was rejuvenated in 1999, members have created a tourism radio station, attended several trade shows promoting Fort Simpson and met with various government and industry representatives. Canvin said he feels the chamber was influential in defeating the GNWT's proposed hotel tax and road toll.