SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Travellers could be paying more for hotel rooms if a city council resolution is adopted by the NWT Association of Communities.

City councillor David Wind immediately voiced opposition to the resolution when it was discussed at a Priorities, Policies and Budget Committee meeting on March 15.

"It seems to me that the tourism industry is an important part of the NWT economy," said Wind, adding that the industry is struggling.

"Promoting a tax on hotel rooms is promoting a tax on tourism … If anything, NWT communities and the GNWT should be encouraged to reduce the (cost for tourists)," said Wind.

Coun. Mark Heyck said the levy, which was requested by the Northern Frontier Visitors Association, and is supported by hotels around Yellowknife, will fund a convention marketing bureau in the NWT. The bureau will visit trade shows down south to market the North as a good place to hold conventions.

The resolution is also supported by councillors Paul Falvo, Shelagh Montgomery, and Cory Vanthuyne. Vanthuyne said industry members themselves would be controlling the amount of the levy.

Mayor Gord Van Tighem said they have until April 15 to hammer out resolutions before sending them to the NWT Association of Communities.

Coun. Bob Brooks abstained from the discussion, citing a conflict with his job at the Department of Industry, Tourism, and Investment.

Giant Mine money

The Department of Indian and Northern Affairs will be making annual payments to the City of Yellowknife to provide emergency services for the next five years, in lieu of paying property taxes at Giant Mine.

"We have successfully negotiated with INAC about emergency services payments," said Carl Bird, director of corporate affairs for the city, at a Priorities, Policies and Budget meeting on March 15.

The payments will start at $65,000 this year, and then gradually increase every year, ending with a payment of $75,000 in the fifth year.

The money is to pay for any emergency services the department may require at the mine site where the federal agency is in the process of cleaning it up.

Last November, Bird said the department owed the city $328,645 in unpaid property taxes. Officials with the federal government, in response, said the government does not pay property taxes but may make payments for emergency services in lieu of taxes.

Bird said city administration is trying to get compensation for the years that have already gone by before this agreement was made, but added he is not optimistic.

Cops on bicycles

In an effort to have a greater presence on the streets, the Yellowknife RCMP detachment will have four officers on bicycles and a foot patrol this summer.

"There's a lot of enthusiasm at the detachment - members wanting to (be on the bike patrol," Staff Sgt. David Elliot told city council at a Priorities, Policies and Budget Committee meeting on March 15.

Elliot said these police officers will mainly be out and about on Friday and Saturday nights, and will be accompanied by an RCMP patrol car most of the time.