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with Stephan Burnett
E-mail: business@nnsl.com
Wednesday, October 27, 2004
The Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce is objecting to the Power Corporation's attempt to have Yellowknife businesses subsidize diesel-based communities in the rest of the Northwest Territories.
The Chamber reports that under the current system, diesel communities are subsidized to the Yellowknife rate for the first 700 kilowatt hours. Conversely, the flat rate method proposed by the Power Corp. would set the diesel communities at the Yellowknife price regardless of usage.
Yellowknife rates would increase while community rates would decrease, the Chamber says.
The Chamber calls the concept a disincentive to conservation, while adding the measure, if implemented, will not encourage the diesel communities to look for alternative power sources and will dramatically increase the amount the territorial government spends on subsidies.
A press release issued by the Chamber states it opposes the "flat rate" proposal without a thorough public review.
Aber to use open market
Aber Diamond Corporation will use the open market in October to determine if the diamond market has changed substantially since it started in diamond sales in March 2003.
Selling on the open market is one of many strategies the company will use to measure current diamond pricing.
The process is intended to ensure Aber shareholders are receiving fair market value, said the company in a press release.
Labour standards reviewed
The Labour Standards Act, the act governing non-unionized business throughout the territory, is under review.
The Department of Justice has initiated the review. The review, entitled Renewing the Labour Standards Act of the Northwest Territories: A Consultation Paper, has been tabled by Justice Minister Charles Dent.
Employers and employees are directly affected by this legislation and will be impacted by changes that might be made.
The Department of Justice is interested in hearing your views on specific proposals and questions. Further reports on the issue are expected.