Briefs from the Legislative Assembly
Agriborealis forgiven
Failed Agriborealis Ltd., the predecessor of the NWT's only dairy farm, Tuaro Dairy, is among the creditors listed on a forgiveness of debt bill about to pass through the legislative assembly.
Agriborealis declared bankruptcy in 1987 after only 10 months of production. Controversy surrounded the restarting of the Yellowknife dairy by city finance director Joe Kronstal.
Agriborealis is being forgiven $130,000.
B.C. not yet on board
British Columbia is still holding out on a transboundary agreement that would require they consult the territories and Alberta before they make any move that would affect NWT watersheds. B.C. bureaucrats are currently reviewing the agreement and will be making recommendations to cabinet.
Responding to questions from Thebacha MLA Michael Miltenberger, Wildlife and Resources Minister Stephen Kakfwi (left) said Monday that Premier Don Morin will be discussing the matter with B.C. Premier Glen Clark in the coming weeks.
Also, the government is also attempting to bring the Yukon on board.
The importance of the agreement was highlighted last summer when release of water from the B.C. Hydro Bennett Dam resulted in high water levels on Great Slave Lake and the Mackenzie River.
Nunavut says no to library cuts
The people of Nunavut want their regional librarians back.
Residents, librarians and MLAs have been protesting the laying off of regional library managers for the Baffin and Keewatin regions in petitions, letters, questions and statements.
Pond Inlet librarian Philippa Ootoowak says Culture Minister Charles Dent's claim that terminating the positions will have little effect on community libraries is misleading.
"Community libraries will be greatly affected by a lack of a regional manager, as has been evident in the western region since the cancellation of the community services librarian in Hay River," wrote Ootoowak in a Feb. 3 letter to Amittuq MLA Mark Evalaorjuk.