Rankin Inlet (Aug 25/03) - Skyward Aviation will be suspending operations in the Kivalliq region effective Sept. 1. The move, announced Aug. 19, will cost 21 people their jobs and is being blamed on the Nunavut government.

It was an emotional day for Frank Behrendt, president of Skyward Aviation. Last week Behrendt announced the company would be cancelling and suspending some operations in the Kivalliq. - Chris Puglia/NNSL photo

President Frank Behrendt said government policy in Nunavut has pushed Skyward out of the region.

The major factor was the Nunavut government's decision to award the medevac contract solely to Kivalliq Air.

Behrendt said medevac travel was Skyward's bread and butter.

"This decision is a painful one for us to make and comes as a direct result of government action. It's a clear rejection of Skyward's service by a government department that is the single largest air consumer in the Kivalliq," said Behrendt.

The Nunavut government has been bombarded by criticism since awarding the contract to Kivalliq Air.

In July, five Kivalliq MLAs: Ovide Alakannuark, Jack Anawak, Glenn McLean and Kevin O'Brien have led opposition over the issue. The MLAs wrote a critical letter to Health Minister Ed Picco, urging not to award the medevac contract to one carrier.

The MLAs and Skyward Aviation have been arguing there is enough medevac business in the Kivalliq to support two carriers. Earlier in June, Coral Harbour Mayor Marvin Dion questioned why Kivalliq Air is subcontracting to Perimeter Air, a Thompson, Man. based company.

"Perimeter Air has no Arctic experience. Why wouldn't they use a company with Acrtic experience?" asked Dion.

In addition to criticizing their loss of medevac business, Skyward also hurled accusations of unfair purchasing practices at the department of health.

Behrendt, who choked back tears at one point in his speech, said morale in the company is low.

It's a decision he didn't make lightly and he is hoping that the government will review its decision.

"Unless we are allowed the opportunity to operate in an open and fair market place we have no choice," said Behrendt. But, he added, he is hopeful this decision is not the end to Skyward in the Kivalliq.

"You can't keep good people and a good company down," said Behrendt.

Lillian Autut, a ticket agent from Repulse Bay, is worried. She has been employed with Skyward for two years and said she still has a job, but is unsure how long that will last.

"I didn't expect this to happen," she said.

Jobs in the communities are scarce. Most communities have an unemployment rate between 40 and 60 per cent.

Skyward paid to fly Dion, along with mayors and SAOs from other Kivalliq communities, to Rankin for the announcement.

Behrendt said many of them expressed an interest in being there.

"The government has pulled this B.S. on us before. I am sure the community and the hamlet council will direct me to write some letters to the premier and Kivalliq MLAs," said Dion.