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Word last week that an alternative is being examined as an Edmonton destination for medevac flights from Yellowknife is good news.

With the closure of Edmonton's City Centre Airport looming on the horizon, the convenience of having a major southern hospital - the Royal Alexandra - only three kilometres and a seven-minute drive away from an airport will disappear. One runway at the City Centre Airport remains open but will eventually close as Alberta's capital city moves forward with plans to transform the city airport lands into a residential community of 30,000 people.

Edmonton Airports and Alberta Health Services have earmarked the Edmonton International Airport as the future destination for fixed-wing medevac flights from the North. But there is an another option - an unused military airstrip at Edmonton Garrison.

The issue was raised in the NWT legislature last Thursday and, after a barrage of questions from Yellowknife Centre MLA Robert Hawkins and Hay River South MLA Jane Groenewegen, Health Minister Tom Beaulieu said his department will "take an active role" in negotiations with the Department of National Defence (DND) for medevac flights to make use of Garrison.

Let's look at the numbers. Edmonton Garrison, on the northern outskirts of Edmonton, is 65 km closer to Yellowknife than Edmonton International, located at Nisku, 30 km south of Edmonton.

Although many of the 350 medevac flights to Edmonton each year are for medical appointments, planning must be done for a worst-case scenario, such as when a patient requires critical medical care not available at Stanton Territorial Hospital, or in the event of a mass-casualty disaster which results in a volume of patients that overwhelm services in the North. Time is of the essence in these situations.

The Royal Alexandra is 15.4 km from Garrison, a 23-minute trip at the posted speed limit. Alternatively, University Hospital is 28.7 km from the International airport, a 33-minute trip. The University Hospital, probably the best equipped in Edmonton, is 25 km from Garrison.

Although Edmonton Airports and Alberta Health Services make it sound like there are no concerns about moving medevacs to the International airport, it is clear to us that landing medevacs at Garrison will shave precious minutes off transport time.

Alberta Deputy Premier Doug Horner is backing an investigation by DND and the issue has been sent to Ottawa. The GNWT has an obligation to Northerners to push for the fastest alternative, too.

Yellowknife Centre MLA Robert Hawkins is correct to highlight the gaps in the GNWT's response to drug and alcohol addiction.

In response to Hawkins' comments in the legislative assembly last week about the need for more addictions treatment, Health and Social Services Minister Tom Beaulieu reminded MLAs and the public that the Nats'ejee K'eh Treatment Centre, located on the K'atlodeeche First Nation Reserve near Hay River, is only 49 per cent occupied.

Given the severity of drug and alcohol addiction throughout the NWT, it is unacceptable that the territory's only addictions treatment centre is operating at less than half capacity. A fresh plan is required.

While the minister has pointed to the department's plans to develop on-the-land addictions programs and mental health treatment programs, he must not be permitted to divert attention from the inefficacy of the almost 20-year-old treatment centre, which is clearly falling short of the public's expectations and hopes.

Drugs and alcohol abuse exacts a toll on all communities in the NWT, including here in Yk, particularly evident in our downtown.

Beaulieu needs to take a sober second look at the quality and accessibility of addiction treatment in the territory, and a good place to start is to take seriously the need for an accessible and well-managed addictions treatment centre in Yellowknife.

The next few months of 2012 could prove quite interesting in our territory's capital.

The rumour mill is running full-bore these days, and the message it's churning out is one of frustration and rebellion.

Some insiders are whispering that discontent among Nunavut's regular MLAs has reached critical proportions.

Many are, supposedly, disillusioned with leadership and the numerous decisions being made by the premier and a number of ministers.

Some say the Government of Nunavut is being run by a bunch of transplanted southern bureaucrats who have more influence on the decision-making process than the actual ministers themselves.

But the most intriguing rumblings coming from the rumour-mongers are those speculating of a movement among a number of our elected officials to force the calling of a territorial election in 2012.

The direction they're, supposedly, going to take in achieving that goal is somewhat unclear at the present time, but for such actions to even be considered in some corners speaks volumes as to the level of dysfunction currently pervading our legislative assembly.

The complaints of those who feel Nunavummiut really don't want another territorial election, and that the present government should be given its full mandate to see if it can actually accomplish anything not started by those who came before it, are irrelevant.

Public opinion on such matters doesn't amount to much with non-party politics.

It's a lot easier for voters to express their displeasure with a party, or to vote for change for change's sake, than to hang blame on one individual for a territorial government's failures.

In fact, an argument can be made that even the best of leaders become handcuffed if they're saddled with an ineffective rank and file they can't mould into shape.

Almost everyone has worked with someone who doesn't pull their own weight, and can appreciate how much that person's ineffectiveness can bring down everyone's overall performance.

Conversely, many a good leader or foreman has been brought down by a group of people who can't, or won't, properly complete the tasks assigned to them.

Only time will tell which situation is playing itself out in Iqaluit.

Either way, the rumours of discontent emanating from the capital have reached the point where we can safely assume all is not smiles, sunshine and lollipops in Iqaluit these days.

But, upheavals organized behind closed doors often have a way of hurting the innocent as much as the intended, at least in the short term.

When a government splits into factions, most of the politicians' energy gets consumed with one faction trying to exert control and the other trying to fend it off.

That leaves precious little time and effort for actual governance.

Should such a scenario play out, and our politicians decide to spend most of their time tossing rotten tomatoes at each-other's reputations at the cost of their duties, it will, once again, be the little guys and gals left holding the bag.

While we were commending the GNWT's efforts to engage aboriginal groups last week, the Gwich'in Tribal Council was launching a court action against the territorial government's push for a devolution agreement.

The tribal council has based its case on a perceived lack of communication between the GNWT and the First Nation in regard to the devolution agreement-in-principle and the shaping of a final devolution agreement.

To open the second session of the legislative assembly, Premier Bob McLeod defended his government's efforts to engage aboriginal governments. He once again cited the number of meetings the GNWT has held in recent months and the Dettah gathering where aboriginal leaders and the legislative assembly met following the Oct. 3 election. He also emphasized the need to push forward with the devolution agenda, reiterating that every day the NWT spends without a final agreement is costing the territory $165,000. McLeod also insisted the government is "inviting all parties to participate" and is ensuring all parties are kept "apprised of the process and any discussions that happen."

Devolution will be the battlefield where the premier's resolve to improve the GNWT's relationship with aboriginal groups will truly be tested. The Gwich'in Tribal Council's court action -- and the support it has received from other aboriginal groups such as the Akaitcho and Dene Nation -- proves not enough has been done to consult with First Nations on the issue. Indeed, coming to an agreement that will satisfy everyone is unlikely, but a consensus must be reached.

Not having a devolution agreement in place might be costing the territory money but we must balance that cost with the cost of legal battles and irreparably damaging relationships with groups such as the Gwich'in.

Here is an opportunity for the premier to put his money where his mouth is and demonstrate he is willing to go beyond meetings and promises and engage aboriginal governments when it counts.

After 10 years the Ehdiitat Gwich'in Council in Aklavik has finally held an election. It's good to see the renewal of the democratic process for the aboriginal government but its unwillingness to be open about the election process is concerning.

Despite numerous requests, the election's returning officer refused to supply News/North with a list of candidates and only after repeated prodding were we given a list of the new council.

The election was spurred when a petition was submitted protesting the decade-long term of then president Charlie Furlong.

At that time, Aklavik Chief Danny Greenland was extremely critical of the situation. However, after being elected to the Ehdiitat Gwich'in Council he also declined to comment about the election process or the goals of the new council.

To be effective, democracy must be open and transparent and in that vein the Ehdiitat Gwich'in Council should come out publicly with its election bylaws so the public will know by what rules the council is governed.

With one jail in Iqaluit sometimes overflowing to beyond double its capacity and another jail opening in Rankin Inlet that is bound to be immediately filled, how can Nunavut expect to handle the influx of inmates a new federal crime bill will undoubtedly create?

According to Justice Minister Daniel Shewchuk, during his appearance earlier this month in front of the Senate committee tasked with reviewing the bill, the Baffin Correctional Centre (BCC) was built for 48 inmates and now holds close to 100 - a point where Shewchuk says safety of staff and inmates has become a concern. That point was already raised in 2010 by former fire marshal Tony Noakes, who maintains he was fired for speaking out. The new 48-bed jail in Rankin Inlet will alleviate existing pressure, but neither facility is prepared for the mandatory jailing of many offenders who, while this bill is not yet in effect, have other options.

Shewchuk said it costs about $200 per day per inmate in jail, and the average stay of an inmate is 12 to 14 months. Under the pending legislation, at least 35 more inmates who received house arrest would have been incarcerated in 2010. According to Shewchuk's numbers, that alone would cost about $3 million.

Shewchuk said 60 per cent of prisoners in BCC are being held awaiting court decisions on their cases, and there are two more judges in the works for the territory. The additional support on the bench will alleviate some of the pressure, but Shewchuk told senators the impact won't be nearly enough to counteract the bill, which will remove the option of house arrest for those guilty of break and enters or producing marijuana, for example.

The territory needs more money to make adjustments. If the federal government doesn't give the GN more cash to handle its new legislation, Shewchuk said this bill will divert funds to incarceration from rehabilitative and preventative programming. This is not a direction the territory wants to go.

Alcoholism is at the root of Nunavut's high crime rates, and it's been proven very often that it is not a problem solved by time in jail. The addicted need treatment and professional help to eliminate their addictions. Victims of domestic violence need support to help them heal, and to help stop what can be a cyclical problem. Those with mental health issues need medical help, not to be warehoused in an overcrowded cell.

From a social aspect, this bill will do nothing to stop criminal behaviour. It might be rational to think a stiffer sentence would dissuade a potential offender from breaking the law, but usually a person is not thinking rationally when committing a serious crime.

If the territory is to jail its troubled people, it must be given resources so it can do so without cancelling its existing rehabilitative and preventative programming, which really needs to be expanded upon.

Hopefully the senate committee saw this and will remember it when suggesting amendments to the bill.

How does a Crown prosecutor justify a sex offender being released on the streets after his conviction?

In the case of Anthony Griep, we cannot tell you. We can only tell you Griep was released by Judge Bernadette Schmaltz after pleading guilty and was let go until he is to be sentenced with no objection from the crown.

The Crown prosecutors' office could not be reached to explain its willingness to have Griep await his punishment outside of a jail cell.

Griep, 25, is guilty of having grabbed a woman on the Frame Lake Trail on June 5, 2008, pulling her into the bushes and sexually assaulting her. The guilty party remained a mystery until April 2011 when police obtained a DNA sample from Griep following his arrest for an unrelated offence.

The sexual assault, as disturbing as it was, could result in up to 10 years of imprisonment.

Were that the extent of his criminal behaviour, it would be enough of an argument that Griep should not be roaming the streets until a judge sentences him, regardless of conditions to report to the RCMP a few times per week. Then, last November, Griep was fined $300 for failing to attend court. Continuing with his abysmal track record, he was in court again on Jan. 31 to be sentenced for uttering threats.

It turns out that he was busy last November, as that's also when he made a threat on Facebook to rape an acquaintance's mother. For this too he was fined $300 and given nine months probation.

However, he was still allowed to walk out of the courtroom until his March 6 sentencing for the Frame Lake Trail sexual assault.

We can only hope his victim does not come face to face with him on a city sidewalk.

It's clear to us this individual has not earned the right to enjoy his freedom, even with limitations. We'd like to hear from the Crown prosecution or the courts how it could be viewed any other way.

For more than 25 years, the NWT tourism industry has promoted our territory to Japanese travellers as an aurora viewing vacation destination. Chinese travellers are also now being courted by at least one area business.

Yellowknife Tours, a two-year-old tour company whose employees are fluent in Mandarin and Cantonese, has hosted about 200 Chinese guests who travelled from Hong Kong, Beijing and other parts of Canada.

It might be time for the rest of the NWT tourism industry to broaden its reach in Asia.

In 2007, then premier Joe Handley and a GNWT delegation visited China to pitch aurora tourism, though NWT Tourism has not dedicated funds to developing a sustained Chinese-oriented marketing campaign.

It might be time for NWT Tourism to broaden its reach in Asia.

In 2008, perhaps due in part to competition from Alaska's aggressive marketing of aurora tourism in Asia and direct flights from Tokyo to Fairbanks, visitors to Yellowknife declined for the first time since the 2001-2002 season.

Shifts in Japanese tourism numbers won't be felt as acutely if the territory attracts increasing numbers of Chinese visitors in coming years.

Yellowknife businesses and entrepreneurs that benefit from tourism, including hotels, restaurants, tour guides, gift shops, art galleries and even individual artists, do not have to wait for the government to launch a Chinese marketing campaign to act.

Businesses such as the Gallery of the Midnight Sun in Old Town have worked hard in recent years to welcome Japanese patrons in their own language.

The tourism industry can follow Yellowknife Tour's lead by reaching out to Mandarin and Cantonese-speaking visitors, as well.

It's always interesting to see what's new at Deh Gah School in Fort Providence.

The school always seems to have new and often times unique programs in the offering. The latest program to emerge at the school is no exception.

In January, Deh Gah School started its alternative high school program. The program is aimed at young adults ages 18 to 23 who haven't achieved their high school diploma for a variety of reasons.

Through the program, the school is offering students a completely customizable way of working towards their career and education goals. Participants can aim to achieve their Grade 12 equivalency or they can start with something smaller such as getting their driver's licence.

How the participants go about reaching their goals is also flexible. Students can come to the school every afternoon and work in a classroom environment or they can choose to do their schoolwork at home and bring it in once a week for a check-in.

The program's two teachers are seemingly willing to shape the program in whatever way necessary to help participants succeed.

The other Deh Cho communities with high schools and educators across the territory should be taking note of the program and following its progress.

It's nice to think that with the support offered in normal high schools that students will graduate Grade 12 with their peers or at least shortly later. Experience, however, shows that this is often not the case.

For a variety of reasons there is a population of young adults in the Deh Cho and the North who haven't completed at least high school. The reasons they don't have their diplomas vary. For some, problems with literacy or academic difficulties are responsible.

Some didn't have the motivation at the time to finish their necessary courses. For others, life simply happened and barriers made completing high school unattainable.

Programs such as the alternative high school in Fort Providence are a way to reach out to that population and help them to achieve their potential that might otherwise be underdeveloped and wasted. One of the best parts of the program is participants get to choose what they are looking to achieve. If getting their driver's licence is their initial goal and they achieve it, just imagine what other goals might stem from that.

Young adults who haven't finished high school are still valuable resources for their communities and every effort, such as alternative high school programs, should be made to help them develop and reach their goals.

One week later, the charred house on Gwich'in Road still gives off the bitter smell of burnt wood. One week later, the fire department is instilling new proactive measures to ensure they are prepared for what the frigid climate dishes out to them. One week later and the town of Inuvik, once again, has rallied to the aid of those lives left in shambles.

The temperatures caused a harsh working environment for the firefighters who had to deal with a frozen hydrant and a frozen pumper. Some residents might be perplexed by the fact that, for a window of time, water was unavailable to fight a fire.

It is important to note, however, firefighters deal with an array of conditions making it difficult to contain fires quickly – harsh winds, downed live wires, the location of a house in relation to other obstacles, and freezing temperatures.

Extenuating circumstances beyond anyone's control, such as a winterized hydrant locking up in the cold, come with the territory of the Arctic. Faith should not be lost in the department, which attends every call – no matter how many are false.

The fire department can always be counted on to get to the scene of a fire and, before attempting to save a house, save lives.

The community, in turn, can always be counted on to be there to pick its people up when they fall. One day after the volcanic-looking cloud billowed above Inuvik, cast up from the raging fire on Gwich'in Road, organizations throughout the town were making phone calls and sending e-mails and the donations started rolling in.

The generosity and support flows naturally, like a coping mechanism; as if there's no question this is where the energies of the town must be invested.

It happened last week and it happened in October's devastating house fire – the community gathered together for those left homeless by fire.

Being a close-knit town, the connections are strong between people. A victim of a fire is not just a victim, but someone's relative, someone's co-worker and someone people recognize on the street or in the grocery store.

It's through these actions that the survivors realize the true meaning of the word "community" and can take that first step away from a taxing event. The support of their neighbours helps them move forward.

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