Nathan VanderKlippe
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (May 10/02) - Kevin O'Reilly may be a lone voice of opposition, but it's not keeping him from decrying the city's acceptance of sponsorship money from BHP Billiton.

He made a number of comments during a city committee discussion on a wide-sweeping advertising policy this Monday.

The diamond company offered the city $15,000 this January to resuscitate its publication of Skyline. Council had dealt the semi-annual magazine its final blow when it pulled its funding in a cost-saving measure during budget discussions.

"(Mayor) Gord Van Tighem's a good fellow, and he's working hard to balance his budget. I think we can help him out in a small way," said BHP Billiton spokeswoman Denise Burlingame, explaining the company's decision to offer the money. "It's good for us, too," she said. "I get my logo on the newsletter and some information about us at the end."

The advertising policy is clear that "advertisers and sponsors shall have no influence whatsoever over the content, style, design or layout of publications."

But O'Reilly thinks it's a bad idea for the city to accept sponsorship for a publication.

"If a corporate sponsor decides they don't like the editorial content or what's being said, they could pull the funding at any time and the city's left holding the bag again," he told the priorities, policies and budget committee. "I don't think that's an appropriate place for us to be."

O'Reilly's voice was easily overcome by the other councillors, who expressed no similar concerns.

"If a company wants to come forward in a good nature and support one of our initiatives, I welcome it," said Coun. Robert Hawkins. "I'm not sure where people would get the feeling that all of a sudden a city thing would be run by another organization because their logo's on it."

Alcohol and tobacco

The city's new advertising policy, which will go before council for final approval next Monday, prevents tobacco companies from advertising on municipal property or publications. It also restricts alcohol companies from any lifestyle advertising, meaning beer companies would virtually be prevented from promoting anything other than the company name.

In addition, the policy does not allow any advertising that:

• has an adverse effect on public safety or the city's image
• conveys a religious or political message
• presents demeaning or derogatory portrayals of individuals or groups
• contains anything causing offence "in light of generally prevailing community standards"

Late last year, some community leaders protested against a possible city contract with Molson for advertisements in the arena. That contract never went through, but the resulting controversy prompted the city to draft this advertising policy.

Even so, Diane Hrstick, who led the charge against alcohol ads, said "my sentiments haven't changed."

Hrstick is an addictions counsellor at the Tree of Peace Friendship Centre. Last October, she told Yellowknifer, "Don't rub it in our kids faces when they have enough alcohol issues at home."