On its surface, the sole contract program seems like one of those rare common sense government initiatives aimed at cutting through red tape and giving a leg up to Northern contractors.

It is commonly used for road maintenance, where relatively small jobs and the need for quick action make the usual tendering process expensive and unwieldy.

But now it is being applied to major projects - a $1.2 million new rink in Aklavik.

The Construction Association of the Northwest Territories says that is too much and wants cabinet to review the program.

All that's required to trigger sole contract negotiations is a letter from the local MLA, in this case David Krutko, and the local council. The Department of Public Works and Services is then bound to enter negotiations with the contractor.

That's how A.C. Contracting of Aklavik finds itself in the running for the $1.2 million job of building the town's new arena.

Under ordinary circumstances, Andrew Charlie, a Gwich'in beneficiary and the owner of AC, wouldn't get close to a job like this without making a significant investment in the tendering process.

The Construction Association of the Northwest Territories is outraged, not just by this instance, but what it sees as a preview of things to come.

It is asking cabinet to review the program.

Don Worrall, executive director of the association, calls it a slap in the face for Northern contractors, especially those who have paid their dues and built their businesses to the point where they can take on a $1 million project. He questions whether Charlie has the experience necessary for the job.

Charlie says he has built several houses over the past decade and worked as a foreman and supervisor on major jobs and is confident he can handle the Aklavik arena.

But if A.C. has the capability to bid and build a $1.2 million project, then it shouldn't need a boost from sole sourcing.

If it doesn't, why should Charlie be allowed to leap over the backs of other small contractors in the Delta for such a large contract?

The government should strive for competition among equals. That would ensure value for taxpayers, provide valuable bidding experience for contractors and maintain the intent of sole sourcing - to develop local business.

It is said that Canada was originally held together by a ribbon of steel -- a trans-national railway.

That may not be true anymore, but the railway opened up the Canadian west, allowing development all the way to Vancouver.

A network of roads helped further develop places in Southern Canada where the railway didn't go.

In Nunavut, there is no railroad. The only highway stretches from Arctic Bay to the now-closed Nanisivik Mine.

We rely on airplanes and seasonal sealift to bring in everything from the fuel to heat and power our homes to the chips and pop we snack on.

While it's impossible to build roads to every Nunavut community, a road to a Bathurst Inlet port is essential to the economic development of this territory.

Unfortunately, the federal government doesn't see it that way.

After spending millions to begin studies of the proposed road and port project, Ottawa has put everything on hold for a year.

It's frustrating for the people who live in the Kitikmeot who need the jobs and development that will accompany the project.

Perhaps Premier Paul Okalik said it best at the recent Meet the North conference in Edmonton.

"We in Nunavut have the desire and the resources to contribute to the national pocketbook rather than draw from it. We want to secure what has been provided to other Canadians."

Nunavummiut want to be self-sufficient. We don't want to be beholden to the federal government for everything any more. Let's be clear, however, the project is good for more than Nunavut.

The dividends from mineral development would pay for the investment many times over.

As Okalik said, the country needs a champion like the visionaries who fought so hard to build Southern Canada.

Editorial Comment
Darrell Greer
Kivalliq News

You can't blame some folks in Baker Lake for thinking the Department of Health has them placed slightly above scurvy vaccinations on its list of priorities.

Baker residents are still awaiting the results of the so called "investigation" into the state of health care in their community.

In early March, deputy health minister Dr. Keith Best ordered an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of a five-month-old infant. The baby died after suffering from flu-like symptoms. Six other people who suffered from the same symptoms were medevaced out. The infant's death came a month after another child had to be rushed south for treatment after initial calls to the nursing station were rebuffed.

Did anyone really expect Dr. Best's crack investigation team (the names of whom were never released) to find any problems or malcontent in Baker?

The healthy well being of people in the community takes a distant back seat to potential lawsuits through any self-admission of weak areas of treatment.

Some are curious as to why Baker's head nurse was sent to Arviat for two-weeks training in that community.

She may have been there to perform brain surgery for all we know, or, should we say, for all Dr. Best has been willing to tell us, despite repeated calls to his office.

Maybe Dr. Best is afraid we're going to ask why a top Kivalliq health official had to be whisked into Baker to quell an uprising when the majority of health centre staff were threatening to quit.

Sounds like our idea of a wonderful place to work.

It would appear Dr. Best has forgotten his bedside manner since moving to the political side of health care.

Apparently, there is no longer much regard for the mental state of those seeking care in Baker, at least when it comes to reassuring them of the quality of care they're receiving.

In fact, the Baker "investigation" is strangely familiar to one Dr. Best conducted into allegations of staff misconduct at a Rankin facility a few years back.

The allegations were brought forward by a former caregiver at the facility.

Dr. Best found no evidence of wrongdoing concerning the case.

However, those named by the caregiver did not remain in the employ of the facility for very long, despite the clean bill of health given by Dr. Best.

Through his silence, Dr. Best is telling worried citizens in Baker Lake to take their concerns elsewhere.

Dr. Best is probably comfortable with the fact he's adopted an age old Northern method of conciliation -- ignore it long enough and it will go away.

Good for Dr. Best. Bad for the people of Baker Lake.

Editorial Comment
Terry Halifax
Inuvik Drum

On my trip to Dawson City last week, I seemed to arrive as just the city was waking from its winter hibernation.

Unlike my previous visit, two months ago, the boardwalks were now bouncing with tourists, miners and hundreds of seasonal workers.

Locked out of the mine ministers meeting, I ambled around eateries and watering holes to talk with locals about the state of the Yukon economy.

At this time of year, it's obvious the city booms on tourism, but the dollars are scant for most whose jobs barely pay the rent. Any money saved over the summer only flies south for the winter.

The people who live there all year long, however, rely on the industries that can sustain life through the long winters.

As one miner put it, the DFO, the Sierra Club and the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society will argue that the tourist industry will replace any jobs lost through stringent environmental guidelines, but it's just not so. A family can't survive on even two wages from a retail shop or restaurant.

He said they're tired of having outsiders run their show and who can blame them?

Forestry, mining and fossil fuel jobs can provide that, but those jobs have environmental risks and that doesn't sit well with environmental groups who don't live there.

Based on no new science, the DFO pulled the rug out from under the placer mining industry in a territory that has been struggling to get back to work for years.

I'm sure the irony isn't lost on the Yukon's government or the residents. They fought with one federal department for 10 years to get devolution, only to have the guts ripped out of the economy by another department.

It's one thing to have resource revenue sharing, but what good is it if there's no resource?

The NWT and Nunavut can take a lesson from what's happened in the Yukon. Devolution does not mean you've won the war; only the battle.

Temperature and temperament

In this line of work, you notice the change in people that comes with the change in seasons. I spent much of Sunday afternoon in the park and had many laughs making pictures and talking with people enjoying the warm sun.

Walking down main street Tuesday afternoon, I was met with smiles and laughs. Six months ago, I would have found more muffled grumbles and groans through the fur of a parka hood.

We're all glad that the sunshine's back, but I think I'm a little happier than most, because that sunshine makes your faces look a lot better in pictures and makes getting a cheerful response so much easier. Get out and enjoy it now, Inuvik, because it won't be long and we'll be fending off the bugs!

Editorial Comment
Derek Neary
Deh Cho Drum

What if all elected leaders answered all questions, hypothetical or otherwise?

That would come as a relief to journalists and probably to most readers, viewers, listeners and constituents in general. There seems to be a trend developing that any reporter who dares utter the words, "What if ..." receives this response from an elected official: "I'm not answering hypothetical questions."

Granted, interviews with a politicians should not be riddled with speculative queries, but sometimes there are germane issues that could arise. Do elected officials honestly believe that people aren't wondering about those possible scenarios?

By simply dismissing all hypothetical questions, politicians are managing to stay out of hot water but they are doing a disservice to the public, who deserve to know where the politician stands.

We're on the cusp of a very busy election period. So here are a couple of questions, one of them hypothetical, that every eligible voter should feel free to ask candidates: "Would you be willing to answer a hypothetical question? What if you don't get my vote in the next election?"

Caution needed

With a multitude of grass fires cropping up and forest fires making an early appearance in the Deh Cho, it would be wise for all residents to limit burning, particularly on windy days.

With the Victoria Day long weekend having passed, camping season is now upon us. As we approach campground exits, we see signs questioning whether we checked to be sure our campfires are completely extinguished. With things already being so dry, double checking those fires is doubly impoPlanning for firesrtant.

It's been several years since the Deh Cho region has had a severe forest fire season. It's next to impossible to predict what is in store for this summer but early indications are that it could be an above-average one.

At the Fort Simpson Village Council meeting on Tuesday, Coun. Andrew Gaule raised a valid point in regards to fires. While the discussion revolved around updating the village's emergency plan for flooding, Gaule urged that priority be given to scrutinizing emergency measures in case the community is threatened by a forest fire.

With only one road in and out of the community, there could be dire consequences if a raging fire blocked the route. There may only be so much that could be done in such a grave situation, but it would be best if the emergency fire plan is dealt with pronto.