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INUVIK - Members of the NWT Association of Communities showed up in droves for the group's annual general meeting held in Inuvik last weekend to take on some of the challenges plaguing communities across the territory.

But Mayor Derek Lindsay wondered why many MLAs skipped the event.

From left, Inuvik councillors Brian McDonald, Jim McDonald, Mayor Derek Lindsay and Chris Larocque show their support for a resolution on Saturday afternoon during the NWT Association of Communities' annual general meeting. - Andrew Rankin/NNSL photo

"The only thing I was disappointed with is that we didn't have a very good showing from the legislative assembly," he said. "Where were Sandy Lee, Jackson Lafferty, and Michael Miltenberger? They have an obligation to come."

Otherwise, Lindsay said he was happy with the four-day conference held from May 21 to 24, attended by local government leaders from 22 NWT communities.

Members participated in a round table discussion with some MPs, including Premier Floyd Roland and Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs Robert McLeod, as well as Western Arctic MP Dennis Bevington.

But Lindsay questioned why more ministers didn't show up since the venue provided a perfect opportunity for them to meet with local leaders from across the NWT in one place.

"We schedule these things a year in advance, so that the cabinet knows when it's happening. It's imperative that cabinet attends."

Members came up with a 21-page list of resolutions which will be used as priority projects for the association. Such items include the completion of the Mackenzie Valley Highway and extending the Dempster Highway to Tuktoyaktuk. Most of the resolutions involve lobbying both the territorial and federal governments to see each initiative through.

Front and centre at the meeting was a review of the government's recently completed electricity review of rates, regulations and subsidies. The association plans to do battle with the NWT government to ensure rates are lowered.

"The power corp is saying it needs to make $90 million. We're saying 'why?'" said Lindsay. "There's no reason for it. Right now our rate is too high; it's not affordable. Inuvik is subsidizing the rest of the Beaufort Delta."

Lindsay was one of many members who supports devolution, saying the NWT needs to take back "authorities and powers and cut the umbilical cord between us and the federal government."

Clarence Wood, Inuvik councillor and the association's vice-president for cities, towns and villages, was one of many local councillors who took part in the event. He said the meeting was a success.

"These are all elected officials on a grassroots level," he said. "They're not in Ottawa travelling all over the country. These people deal with what happens in their home communities and that's what makes this event engaging and effective.

"If you look at the history, the resolutions that come out of this conference normally are acted on by the legislative assembly. Take the electricity review - that is something that we lobbied for."