RANKIN INLET - Nav Canada should take greater care about who it allows to act as a department spokesperson, said the mayor of Rankin Inlet.

Rankin Inlet hamlet Coun. Ron Roach says the airport contract with the municipality of Rankin Inlet can work if it's properly managed. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

Lorne Kusugak and hamlet council vented their anger at a local Nav Canada radio operator who harshly criticized the hamlet's decision to curb overtime at the local airport in a Kivalliq News article this past month (Overtime cuts cause outrage, Kivalliq News, Jan. 31).

Hamlet council would never make a decision that would put anybody's life at risk, Kusugak said during a regular meeting of hamlet council this past week.

He said a Nav Canada employee should know better than to make such "wild, unprofessional and childish" accusations against the hamlet.

"First of all, I'd like to know how Nav Canada goes about selecting its spokesperson," said Kusugak.

"This was a radio operator speaking out of turn about an issue he, obviously, has very little, if any, understanding about.

"This radio operator even took it upon himself to speak on behalf of First Air in the article, suggesting the airline wouldn't even try to land here unless all its conditions were met.

"The accusations that were made, and the manner in which they were brought forward, are totally unacceptable as far as I'm concerned."

Coun. Ron Roach said the finance committee has recommended that the hamlet should continue on with the airport contract.

He said although the hamlet will take a loss on the contract this year, it is a workable arrangement.

"Our audit showed more than 500 hours of casual work was paid out with the airport crew and that's just not acceptable," said Roach.

"This contract can work, if properly managed, but it may be time to review the position of foreman at the airport," he said.

"There seemed to be a terrible lack of communication between our former SAO (John Hodgson), the current airport foreman and the municipality."