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Cabinet paycheques trump safety
Weekend Yellowknifer - Friday, November 20, 2009

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If there is anyone who still believes it benefits the city to have Yellowknife MLAs serving in cabinet then the Nov. 4 vote on a motion to ban cell phone use while driving should dispel that.

The motion, tabled by Frame Lake MLA Wendy Bisaro, was defeated by a single vote from Speaker Paul Delorey, who broke a five-all tie among regular MLAs. Sitting on the sidelines were the seven cabinet members, including Yellowknife MLAs Sandy Lee and Bob McLeod, who could have passed the motion had they chosen to vote.

Drivers talking on cell phones are four times more likely to get into a crash, according to the Canada Safety Council, while those who text while behind the wheel are 23 times more likely to get into a collision.

Talking and texting on hand-held cellphones while driving has already been banned in Ontario, Quebec, Newfoundland, and Nova Scotia. British Columbia, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan are all poised to do the same.

There is a growing consensus across the country that cellphones and vehicles don't mix, yet a majority of MLAs in the NWT refuse to act. Some, like Mackenzie-Delta MLA David Krutko, insist all 33 NWT communities should have access to cell service before considering a ban. And exactly when will tiny communities like Colville Lake or Sachs Harbour ever get cellphone service?

Seventy-five per cent of NWT residents have access to cell phone service today, but like 911, most of our MLAs feel that's not a good enough reason to make legislation that would save lives in our larger communities, including Yellowknife.

Dr. Anna Reid, president of the NWT Medical Association, points to the hypocrisy of Transportation Minister Michael McLeod in a letter to the editor in today's Yellowknifer. The minister issued a press release Wednesday, marking National Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims, in which he is quoted saying: "This Day of Remembrance is an opportunity for people across Canada to pause and consider how we can reduce the number of collisions, injuries, and deaths on our roads."

His way of honouring those victims was to abstain on the cellphone vote.

This inaction is even more frustrating when we look at our Yellowknife MLAs on cabinet.

McLeod and Lee's refusal to vote shows they favour cabinet solidarity and their hefty paycheques over the safety of the voters they claim to represent. What a disgusting display.

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A hill of dreams
Editorial Comment
Roxanna Thompson
Deh Cho Drum - Thursday, November 12, 2009

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In my time in the Deh Cho I've had the privilege of writing about a lot of great homegrown initiatives.

There's something reaffirming in hearing about someone who's started a positive project, not for their own personal gain but for a group of people or a whole community. The Deh Cho seems to be blessed with more than its share of residents who are willing to go the extra mile for others.

The Pehdzeh Ki Snowboard Resort in Wrigley is a perfect example of one of these projects. While the name seems a little fancy for what's really a cleared hill, it's not grand enough to describe the work and effort that went into the project. The resort is not quite a field of dreams as seen in the 1989 baseball movie of that name but rather a hill of dreams.

Shawn Alli, the community's recreation co-ordinator, didn't hear a voice while walking down the hill telling him "if you build it, he will come." Instead, while learning how to snowboard himself he saw that youth in Wrigley were also drawn to the sport.

Alli suggested a snowboard hill should be developed for the next season. Young people agreed and the project grew. The best part of the story is the youth involvement in the hill.

Alli, unlike Ray Kinsella, Kevin Costner's character in Field of Dreams, wasn't left on his own to build the dream facility. For two and a half months as Alli laboured to clear the hill by hand he was joined by youth from the community. Together they sweated it out, chopping down trees with axes and ripping out root systems with their hands. The kids stuck it out through thorns, scrapes, cuts and blisters.

Their involvement in the hill was crucial because it shows they have bought into the project. It's one thing to launch a project and hope youth get involved. It's quite another to have youth involved from the beginning so they develop a sense of ownership in the initiative.

Not only did the young people of Wrigley believe in this project, some unlikely sources did too. Thanks to a letter-writing campaign launched by Alli, the burgeoning snowboarders in Wrigley are outfitted in some top-quality gear. Organizations and companies like Quiksilver Canada, York University and Transworld Snowboarding also believed in the dream and donated.

With snow now on the ground, Wrigley has not a baseball field but a snowboard hill. The result is the same.

In a small community with few recreation options, the hill is a major development. This will keep youth physically active and busy all winter. The creation of the hill is also something that they can take a lot of pride in.

The hill is also fostering dreams. There is already talk among some kids about trying out for future Arctic Winter Games. The hill could lead to Wrigley producing some competitive snowboarders.

Alli and his youth partners deserve to be recognized for their vision and determination. They saw past all the obstacles and achieved their dream.

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The magic of the torch
Editorial Comment
Andrew Rankin
Inuvik Drum - Thursday, November 12, 2009

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Frankly I wasn't looking forward to Wednesday's Olympic Torch rally at all. I've always been a little cynical of the Olympic Games, figuring a whole lot of money is spent on celebrations that can be put to better use. I also look at the playing field and realize a whole lot of countries are shut out of the world event because they do not have the resources to develop their athletes. But Wednesday's event did a lot to make me more appreciative of the games.

I played witness to a lot of very moving moments throughout the evening event. Some of which include when torchbearer Nellie Cournoyea veered off her route to greet a couple of elders through the hospital window. There was nothing particularly earth shattering about it, just an exchange of smiles and that to me was a tender moment. Then there was the surprise of seeing torch bearer Mark Orbell, a wheelchair user, being carried in a snow grooming machine. It was also a special moment for me to see a subtle smile appear on his face as he looked up at the torch's flame.

Near equal to that was when the first time torchbearer, Sharon Firth of Aklavik, who's also a former Olympian, reached up to light her torch from Orbell. She couldn't contain her joy. The biggest highlight for me - and I would think a lot of people - took place when Abel Tingmiak, the last torch bearer, made it to the stage in Jim Koe Park and lit the Olympic cauldron in front of hundreds of spectators. It was just an outpouring of real emotion as he danced around the stage hoisting the torch high overhead.

His actions backed up his words when asked to respond to how he felt to be given the honour of lighting the cauldron, Tingmiak said he was simply proud to represent his people.

It was fascinating to me to see just how much happiness and pride this Olympic Torch Relay produced in the community and how it alone was able to move hundreds of people to come together in peaceful, joyful way in -30 C temperatures.

I'm still not entirely sold on the Olympics and if I was the one organizing the Inuvik Torch Relay I would have done some things differently; namely I would have invited all the torch bearers on stage with Tingmiak for the lighting of the cauldron instead of whisking them away to the Midnight Sun Complex in a bus.

With the risk of being too sentimental, Wednesday's torch relay to me it offered a small model of what the Olympics are supposed to be like. Despite our differences, it's still vitally important for countries and people to come together to share our similarities and all the good we have in common. What better way to bring those qualities out than through sport.

Maybe some things are worth holding on to and fighting for, no matter the cost.

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Property tax smokescreen
Wednesday, November 18, 2009

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It's seems the city will be waiting an awfully long time to collect unpaid property taxes from Giant Mine.

The city is looking to either the territorial Department of Municipal and Community Affairs, which controls the surface rights at Giant Mine, or the federal Department of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC), which controls the subsurface rights, to pay $328,645 the city says is owed in property taxes dating back to 2005.

The territorial government says an agreement has yet to be reached, while INAC flatly denies it owes the city any taxes.

The federal department makes a good point. It's paying millions of dollars to clean up the mine, a responsibility it inherited after previous owner Royal Oak went into receivership in 1999. It's the city that will benefit from the cleanup with new land available for development.

In reality, city administration's beef about unpaid taxes is a smokescreen to divert attention away from skyrocketing costs in services and wages.

Administration is now calling for a 5.95 per cent tax increase for 2010 and another 6.95 hike in 2011, after previously forecasting increases of 5.84 and 5.89 respectively.

Next year, the city expects the number of staff to climb to 203 positions – up 39 from 2001 when the city's population was not much different than it is today. Nearly $20 million will go towards salaries and wages, which is almost $3.5 million higher than it was just two years ago. Most of the new jobs are going into community services, mainly for the new fieldhouse.

Instead of bellyaching about unpaid taxes, the city should be more mindful of its spending, especially when council reviews next year's budget in December.

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Dog mushers should quit barking
Wednesday, November 18, 2009

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Some dog mushers who live in Kam Lake are upset over a re-zoning bylaw which would allow a float plane base in the area.

The Northwest Territories Float Plane Association argues there isn't space for visiting pilots coming to Yellowknife to park their planes. The association wanted the base in Old Town, but room in Back Bay is simply running out, so they're looking at Kam Lake.

The dog mushers' argument that the noisy planes would be disruptive is rather ironic, given the constant din of sled dogs barking and howling. The kennel owners should remember well how it feels to be shunned.

It was only two years ago that some Kam Lake residents and business owners were seeking a shorter lease and a relocation plan for the Yellowknife Dog Trotters Association. The complaints against the kennel owners were also noise related, plus worries about the dogs' feces. However, city council approved a 10-year lease.

Now some dog mushers are acting like they should hold exclusivity over the area.

It was suggested at last week's city council meeting that float plane enthusiasts and kennel owners sit down and talk over the issue. They shouldn't let the background noise drown out the important point that must be communicated: a float plane base in Kam Lake makes good sense. More parking for planes would, in all likelihood, mean more visitors and more dollars spent in our city.

And besides, Kam Lake is still an industrial park.

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A promise never to forget
Editorial Comment
Darrell Greer
Kivalliq News - Wednesday, November 18, 2009

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A long-awaited change to the way the RCMP assign officers to the North was announced earlier this month.

Members will now stay four years in Nunavut, which is twice the length of time they previously stayed.

An officer will serve two years in one community, and then be posted to another Nunavut hamlet for the remaining two years.

One of the carrots the RCMP is dangling to entice members to come North is the ability to be allowed to pick the location of their next posting in Canada after their time in Nunavut is up.

The RCMP reports its staffing division has already received numerous calls from officers interested in heading North since the policy change was announced.

The force also announced the policy shift has prompted about one-third of Nunavut's current members to stay longer than their two-year terms, which were due to expire this coming spring.

Having officers stay longer in our communities has long been a desire of many Kivalliq residents.

It enables them to become more a part of the community they serve, and to better understand Inuit culture and Northern values.

The policy change should by no means affect Inuit officers on duty in Nunavut.

If anything it should strengthen their relationships with southern officers, knowing they're working with members who want to be in Nunavut and who will be around longer.

When all is said and done, this is a positive step forward in building a better relationship between the RCMP and people in the North.

It's also another step towards providing better overall policing in our communities.

It has been a little unsettling to hear some people voice negative opinions on the announcement, fearing officers will only come here for the money and the chance to pick their next location, not because they're interested in the North.

Thankfully, these negative reflections on such a positive move come from a small minority of Kivalliq residents.

Rome wasn't built in a day, and the RCMP realize this initiative doesn't address all the policing problems in Nunavut.

It doesn't do anything to persuade more Inuit to apply for the force, nor will it give those who do apply a better passing ratio out of depot.

But it's a step in the right direction.

The next step to better policing in Nunavut is for the RCMP to find a way to increase the number of officers it has in each community.

Everyone who pays attention to such matters realizes many of the members in the Kivalliq are overworked and on call almost on a 24-7 basis.

Not only does that increase the amount of stress on the affected officers, it's also a barrier to them having the time to get more involved in the community and be able to spend more time on the land.

But, with the current state of the economy and the strain on every department's budget, the needed increase is, no doubt, at least another year or two away.

In the meantime, having more members who want to be in the Kivalliq able to stay here for a longer period of time is a welcome development indeed.

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Successful campaign
NWT News/North - Monday, November 16, 2009

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The recent H1N1 vaccination campaign is a shining example of government working.

Unlike the south, where flu clinics were overwhelmed and eventually closed as vaccine ran dry, Northern flu clinics were praised for being quick and efficient.

Furthermore, the distribution of vaccine to remote communities exceeded even the plans of the Department of Health and Social Services. Original estimates had some Beaufort Delta communities scheduled to begin receiving flu shots this week.

That fact did not sit well with Jackie Jacobsen, the region's MLA, who brought the concern forward in the legislative assembly. He correctly stated that remote Northern communities are at higher risk and should have been top priority.

Shortly after, the vaccine was delivered to those communities with a majority of residents receiving the shot.

The only exception was Tuktoyaktuk where bad weather kept people indoors, but a vaccination team visited the community soon after to catch anyone who missed the first round of shots.

Overall, the GNWT has run an exceptional H1N1 campaign. Regular web and media updates by the department and chief medical health officer Kami Kandola have ensured residents understand the extent of infection, how to protect themselves, and have maintained a high level of public trust and individual sense of security.

The health department's response to Jacobsen is a good example of what can be done when our government sits down and works together for the betterment of the people of the NWT.

The effective policies and communication methods used during the Swine Flu campaign should be used as a model for the everyday workings of the government.

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Bevington lives up to promise
NWT News/North - Monday, November 16, 2009

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On Nov. 4, Western Arctic MP Dennis Bevington was given his one and only chance to put up or shut up, and he did not disappoint.

Back in April, Bevington's commitment to his campaign promise that he would vote against the NDP party line and seek the dismantling of the long-gun registry came into question. At that time, he sat out on a vote to end the amnesty period put forward by a Bloc Quebecois MP.

As a result, Bevington was caught in a firestorm. He defended his action by saying "These parties are using the gun registry as a political football, and I'm not going to play those games."

He went on to accuse the Conservative government of dragging its feet on the registry by not bringing a motion to parliament to have it scrapped.

After that debate, Bevington reasserted his commitment to his campaign promise. "I want to see the government actually bring forward changes to the registry that would work for people in the North," he said.

Bevington proved that resolve earlier this month when he voted in favour of a private member's bill to end the long-gun registry. The bill, which was up for second-reading, carried with 164 to 137 votes and is now in committee.

Bevington went on to say that once the long-gun registry is dealt with, the government can look at gun legislation that targets crime and not hunters.

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Pilot project worth pursuing
Nunavut News/North - Monday, November 16, 2009

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Cambridge Bay, a community of close to 1,500 people, recently disposed of a substantial burden: more than 20 tonnes worth of scrap metal.

That's equivalent to approximately 10 Ford F-150 pickup trucks. No small load.

The eyesore was removed from the community's dump, where washing machines, dryers, ovens, refrigerators, dish washers and other appliances littered the landscape.

It was an initiative made possible by Northern Transportation Company Limited (NTCL), which proposed to cart away the metal waste. Its barges arrive in Kitikmeot communities with welcomed sealift goods - resupplying everything from food to toilet paper and building materials - each fall.

Those same barges leave empty.

Then someone at NTCL had a brainwave and decided to pitch the idea of hauling away scrap metal. Cambridge Bay got the first crack at it through a pilot project earlier this year.

Of course the deal makes sense for NTCL as the shipping company is charging between $2,000 and $4,000 for each container of scrap metal or dangerous goods it takes aboard its vessels. Even at a discount rate, it's better than going back empty and making no additional money.

The communities, of course, are able to avoid opening a gaping hole in the ground and filling it with appliances that take ages to decompose. Those appliances and dangerous goods would otherwise leave toxins in the ground. Look no further than the situation in Iqaluit where abandoned cars have been piled up for many years awaiting a ticket south.

In the meantime all sorts of hazardous liquids have been leaking in the North 40 area, on the outskirts of the city.

Having that sort of waste sent south on a barge means it will be sent to a proper disposal facility where it will do minimal harm and possibly even be recycled into some other useful product.

The greatest challenge for this project's expansion is a common one: money. Our small and remote Nunavut communities cannot find enough funds to cover the costs. Therefore talk has turned to having the territorial and federal governments chip in to make shipping unwanted scrap metal and dangerous materials a feasible option.

In this day and age, when the environment is increasingly recognized as a priority and not something to be taken for granted, surely territorial politicians and their counterparts in Ottawa can see fit to keep Nunavut from having ghettos of rusting ovens and washers.

There's a better way, and now we've been shown it.