 | Home page |  | Text size |  | E-mail this page |
News Briefs: Friday, December 7, 2012
Navigable Waters Act passed
The federal government's second omnibus budget bill, Bill C-45, passed Wednesday in the House of Commons with no amendments despite strong protests by opposition parties.
Included in the bill is the Navigable Waters Act, which decreases the list of protected waterways in the NWT from any waters that can float a canoe to protecting only Great Slave Lake, the Mackenzie River, Great Bear Lake and the Arctic Ocean, confirmed Transport Canada spokesperson Kelly James.
"The Navigable Waters Protection Act balances the efficient movement of maritime traffic with the need to construct works that might obstruct navigation. The proposed amendments to the Act will not affect the Government of Canada's protection of the environment, which will continue to maintain the highest possible standards," she told Yellowknifer prior to the act being passed.
Western Arctic MP Dennis Bevington was among those who opposed the bill.
- Laura Busch
Cities on display
Today is the last day for residents to observe a capital cities display showcasing Canadian Capital cities at the Multiplex.
The display features photos of each city, according to Nancy Chalhoub, division assistant for the National Capital Commission.
Yellowknife is portrayed in an undated photo taken by Sean Ivens during a power blackout when the city was also covered in a layer of ice fog.
- Laura Busch
Literacy meeting
The NWT Literacy Council has scheduled its annual general meeting for Saturday. The meeting will be held in the second floor boardroom at the Coast Fraser Tower from noon until 1 p.m.
"Anybody that's interested can come out," said Helen Balanoff, executive director of the council.
Robinson's term as president is up and she is not running again.
- Danielle Sachs
Pool program parting
The Somba K'e Paddling Club will be taking over the Ruth Inch Memorial Pool tonight for its last skills clinic until the new year. The event runs from 8 to 9:30 p.m.
The clinics focus on general skills, but games are also scheduled for tonight, said club president Steve Hatch.
- Danielle Sachs
News Briefs: Thursday, December 6, 2012
Work progresseson ice crossing
Work is underway on the ice crossing at N'Dulee to Wrigley.
The ice on the river stopped flowing at the site on Nov. 20 and work on the crossing began on Nov. 27, said Dan Quevillon, the regional superintendent for the Department of Transportation. The markers that outline the path of the crossing have been put in place and ice depths were being measured on Dec. 4.
The crossing is expected to open on, or close to, Dec. 11, Quevillon said. The crossing has a five-year average opening date of Dec. 20.
Fort Providence election
Fort Providence is going to the polls on Dec. 10.
The hamlet is holding its election at the recreation centre from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tina Gargan and Eric Gargan are vying for the position of mayor while 14 candidates are after the six seats for councillors.
The mayor and the four councillors with the highest number of votes will serve for three years. The next two people in the running for councillor will serve one-year terms.
Sled dog racein Fort Providence
A second dog sled race is being introduced in Fort Providence.
The Christmas Sled Dog Race will be held on Dec. 15. The one-day event is expected to draw teams from the hamlet, Fort Resolution, Yellowknife and Hay River.
The races will start at the Snowshoe Inn. There will be a 10-dog class at 1 p.m. and a six-dog class at approximately 2:30 p.m.
The Dehcho Sled Dog Championships, which began last year in Fort Providence, will be held again on March 8-9.
Addictions, wellness forum to visit region
The Minister's Forum on Addictions and Community Wellness is expected to stop in three communities in the Deh Cho.
Between December and March, the 11-person forum is travelling to communities in all of the regions in the territory to talk to community leaders, caregivers, non-government organizations and community members about what works and what needs to change to meet the communities' needs around community based addictions programming and supports. The forum will pass recommendations from the communities on to Health Minister Tom Beaulieu.
Fort Providence, Fort Simpson and Fort Liard are on the list of communities to be visited. The schedule for the forum hasn't been finalized.
Vet pleads not guilty
Peter Krizan has pleaded not guilty to 16 charges laid against him.
The veterinarian who previously practised in Inuvik is facing charges for driving without a licence and operating a vehicle without insurance. He is also charged 11 times with failing to comply with a provision made under the Family Violence Protection Act.
Krizan was not in Inuvik territorial court Dec. 4. In October the judge released Krizan on a number of conditions, including the requirement that he live in Whitehorse.
A trial date is set for March 12 at 1:30 p.m. in Inuvik.
Debt to be forgiven
Town council plans to forgive the $28,000 the Inuvik homeless shelter owes for renovations.
The town footed part of the bill for renovations on the shelter, which were done more than a year ago, on the condition that the organization would pay the money back.
However, given financial difficulties the shelter has been unable to repay the funds. Council is waiting to receive more details on the specifics of the renovations before it agrees to forgive the debt.
Roost renovations
The Roost's back room is looking fresh after being recently renovated.
The area has new stain on the walls and the flooring has been changed, according to the restaurant's co-owner Terry El-Khatib.
The renovations started a couple months ago and will be finished once The Roost receives its shipment of new benches.
"We are waiting for the road to open so we can ship them up," said El-Khatib, adding people can still enjoy the area in the meantime. "It's nice and clean and people can sit anyway."
Tax exemption
A new exemption for income assistance clients was brought into effect Dec. 1.
Residents receiving payments under the Impact Benefits Agreements (IBA), treaties or land claim settlements can now claim a tax exemption of up to $500 per year for each household member when determining eligibility for income assistance.
"In the past, IBA, treaty and land claim payments were treated as unearned income and considered when determining a person's eligibility for income assistance," stated Jackson Lafferty, minister of Education, Culture and Employment, in a news release. "ECE will now exempt up to $500 of these payments in recognition of aboriginal people's rights and to ensure the needs of vulnerable Northerners are met in accordance with the Social Assistance Act."
| 
News desk 
