Relief for airlift cost

GRISE FIORD (DEC 16/96) - Residents of Grise Fiord won't be spending a fortune for food this winter after all.

The Territorial government, initially reluctant to get involved, has promised the tiny community $60,000 to help pay for air shipping costs that would have sent prices at the local co-op through the roof.

A cancelled sealift forced the community to get supplies airlifted in, costing an estimated $80,000 extra.

Doug Beiers of the Grise Fiord Inuit Co-op Ltd. said he is relieved they won't have to raise prices.

"The government has definitely taken a supportive stance," he said. "We couldn't have absorbed the whole amount, but now our prices won't rise."

But Beiers said they are still looking for funding for the other 25 per cent of the extra shipping costs.

"This amount will be close enough to get us through without raising prices, but we will be pursuing other avenues for the rest," he said.

Goo Arlooktoo, minister of public works, said the funding will only be used for one Coast Guard shipment that will provide food and other necessities.

"We must stress that this is a one-time contribution, similar to what would be covered with disaster assistance, and our decision is based on what is in the best interest of the community residents, he said.

Arlooktoo said that the disaster may have been avoided had the co-op not tried to save money with a private sealift.

"This situation is the result of a business' attempt to reduce its costs that, due to unfortunate circumstances, did not pay off," he said.