The territorial government, however, wants to dither, claiming -- and probably rightly -- that there would be a huge cost to bring the service to the entire territory.
It's a do-nothing approach that goes back to at least 1997 when a Fort Smith councillor called for a government-funded 911 service.
Since then, a 2001 death inspired the chief coroner to prescribe a 911 plan. That's three years ago. Lots of talk, no action.
The entire territory -- excluding Yellowknife -- has something akin to a 911 service now. Residents simply dial "1111" or "2222" with their home telephone prefix.
It's a little different in Yellowknife. In the middle of your panic to dial the Mounties or fire department, do you prefix "1111" or "2222" with 669? 873? 444? 920?
Holding a door closed against a crack-crazed madman is not the time to search through the phone book for the answer.
That's the beauty of 911. Simplicity. And while $420,000 looks like a lot of money for this, the price per month could be negligible. In 1997, Whitehorse residential phone bills had a dime tacked on to help cover costs.
So what's the hold up? Yellowknife doesn't need a system that would be the envy of communities five-times our size. We want a simple number to call that will summon the help we need -- police, fire or ambulance.
Transport drivers spoke up last week about their need for a truck stop and adequate rig parking in Yellowknife.
This request should not be taken lightly.
According to the most recent numbers from Statistics Canada, truck freight rolling in, out and around the territories jumped from 78,000 to 366,000 tonnes in just two years.
Much of this cargo is destined for the capital - - or points North via the ice road.
The hours truckers can work are regulated -- so many hours at the wheel followed by so many hours of sleep.
It's not the government's job to give these folks a place to stop and sleep and it doesn't sound like a good stand-alone business.
Weatherby trucking tried in the past to set up a truck stop, but the business wasn't there.
Perhaps the long-haul truckers should turn to their employers: mines and city trucking firms for a place to park their rigs while they get the rest they need before making the long journey south.
Editorial Comment
Darrell Greer
Kivalliq News
First, on a personal note, yes, it's true.
By the time you're reading this I am relaxing on a beach outside of Charlottetown, P.E.I., enjoying a little rest and relaxation with a tiny umbrella protruding from my beverage of choice.
That is, if I'm not chasing my grandson around the yard or down the hall trying to recover my snagged piece of pizza.
I can't make up my mind if five-year-olds are really that fleet of foot or, gasp, the years are starting to catch up to me.
Nah. Five-year-olds are really that quick.
I leave the Kivalliq News in the more-than-capable hands of Lisa Scott until my October return.
Lisa is over from Yellowknife and is looking forward to her Kivalliq experience.
Oily problems
While Transport Canada takes its time to investigate the ever-growing number of spills in Nunavut, you can't help but wonder which community is going to be next to have a few thousand litres of fuel spilled into its harbour.
With the number of known spills now up to four, it would be nice to hear Transport Canada remove the word possible from its public rhetoric.
There aren't possible problems, there are problems.
In fact, we're now into a full-blown game of oil roulette in Nunavut.
If something isn't done to address the problem quickly, it's only a matter of time before a major spill strikes our pristine waters.
An insider in the transport industry tells us more fuel has been spilled into Nunavut's waters during the past two years than during the previous 10.
Time for answers
It's time for the Government of Nunavut to speak up and demand answers, not delays, from Transport Canada, especially if this year's spills are being caused by the same problems that occurred during the 2003 delivery.
All of a sudden, the savings the GN prided itself on obtaining two years ago don't look like such a bargain any more, with our waters being put at such risk.
Unless we're missing something, the last time we checked, it's zero tolerance for any type of pollutants being spilled into Arctic waters.
Hopefully, the good folks at Transport Canada will soon share their findings with the people who depend so much on these waters for their very way of life.
Before I go, let me take this opportunity to congratulate the Grade 12 graduates across the Kivalliq region and wish them every success in their future endeavours.
See you in October!
Editorial Comment
Jason Unrau
Inuvik Drum
With the issue of Twin Lakes MLA Roger Allen's residency reaching a boiling point in Yellowknife, the embattled politician received another blow last week when he was charged with sexual assault and arrested in the territorial capital.
Released after being ordered to appear in the Inuvik courthouse Sept. 13 to answer to the charge against him, one hopes -- especially his constituents -- that it was back to business as usual for the MLA.
But more importantly, we must presume Allen is innocent until proven guilty.
This is the right afforded to everyone under the law and it should be no different in Allen's case.
Unfortunately, in the court of public opinion, fuelled by the media and the rumour mill, Allen has probably been tried and convicted in coffee shops, pubs, living rooms and restaurants across the territory.
Not to mention the fact that being an MLA has elevated what would normally be buried in the back pages to front page news and, of course, the "politicians must be held to a higher standard" argument is being flogged as rationale for his immediate resignation.
If Allen were to resign before his day in court, then this would be viewed as a tacit admission of guilt.
No legal counsel in his/her right mind would advise this course of action.
Interesting timing?
Conspiracy theorists who have kept up with recent news about the Twin Lakes MLA's troubles must be having a ball with these new developments.
Just days before the Board of Management was expecting Allen to appear Aug. 23 to explain his residency claim that the board found fault with, he is arrested.
As reported prior to Allen's arrest, he said he hadn't decided whether or not he was going to appear "based on the fact they have all the information before them."
On Monday, Allen did not appear before the board, but he sent a lawyer.
Following the meeting, the board decided to file a complaint with the conflict of interest commissioner regarding his eligibility as a member of the legislative assembly.
Nothing like kicking a man when he's down.
Barring the possibility of forces conspiring to ruin him, the coincidence of events is nevertheless intriguing.
What is also interesting has been the full spectrum of reaction from people in the community regarding Allen's predicament: everything from mild elation to sadness and disbelief.
And at the end of the day, the question of whether or not Allen is a good man is really not for any of us to decide.
Not being one to troll the "Good Book" for my doses of wisdom, in this instance I feel that the following has never been more appropriate.
"Let he who is without sin cast the first stone."
Editorial Comment
Derek Neary
Deh Cho Drum
The curtain lifts on a new era of liquor rationing in Fort Simpson next week.
It's not a drastic change. Instead of being restricted to 12 cans of beer each day, residents can purchase 12 cans and a 1,140 ml of spirits -- better known as a "40 ouncer."
Rather than being rationed to just one large bottle of rum, whisky or vodka each day, people can buy one of those and two litres of wine, and so on.
As some observers have noted, that seems like an awful lot of alcohol to drink in a single day.
There is, of course, no logical reason to consume such quantities of liquor daily. That doesn't mean some alcoholics won't give it a shot.
Chiefs in Fort Simpson, Jean Marie River and Wrigley have expressed concerns about the impacts a greater flow of booze will have in their respective communities. The mayor in Fort Simpson has taken a different stance, arguing that each person has to learn to be responsible with booze. It's a sentiment that Wrigley Chief Tim Lennie echoed by saying, "we have to learn to use instead of abuse."
That's true, particularly if individuals are not going to live sheltered lives in Fort Simpson or in surrounding communities -- although it seems there's always a way to obtain alcohol, by hook or by crook. Alcoholics who travel to Hay River, Yellowknife, Grande Prairie, Edmonton or countless other places can blow their cash on all the liquor they want. There are no restrictions in those locales to stop them.
Rationing has been in place in Fort Simpson for more than 20 years. Within that time the rationing system has changed. What were once weekly limits are now daily limits. What are now daily limits are about to expand. By next year, there may be no limits remaining whatsoever.
This step-by-step process is a wise approach.
Chief Keyna Norwegian has a valid point, there is a distinct possibility that effects from the more open sale of booze may never be fully understood. Some incidents will go unreported under the new regime, some go unreported now. Keeping close tabs on police files is just one measure that can be used to gauge the consequences.
Ultimately, a community meeting and a plebiscite will likely be needed to decide this issue next year. It should be open for all Fort Simpson residents to have a say. Even better, allow delegations from Wrigley, Jean Marie River, Nahanni Butte and Trout Lake to make presentations as well.
In a year from now we'll know better if it's time to throw the door wide open on alcohol sales.
There was a typo in an article appearing in Friday's Yellowknifer, "Territories need tougher privacy laws," Aug. 27. The correct spelling of the privacy commissioner's name is Elaine Keenan-Bengts. Yellowknifer apologizes for any confusion or embarrassment caused by the error.