Wednesday, May 20, 1998
First it was the name for the territories after division. Then it was the question of who would get the polar bear licence plate. Now there is some snivelling about the Canada Post abbreviation for the territories.
Canada Post has suggested they may use the same abbreviation for both the NWT and Nunavut. This is preposterous. After Nunavut separates as a distinct territory, there is no excuse for the two territories to share a title or even an abbreviation.
Seems the kafuffle began after Nunavut beat the West to it and seized the NT as their abbreviation. Canada Post now says that NT will likely be used for both regions after April 1, 1999, unless the Western Arctic changes its name. Well, after the fuss about Bob, no one would believes that will become an issue again. So NT it is, right?
It's not surprising that an area that has been one political entity since its inception into Canada shares some characteristics. But each region is unique and separate and should have no problem finding new names to fit their new distinctions. Otherwise, we wouldn't be splitting.
It seems more than a little silly that each side is constantly stepping on one another's toes when it comes to formulating official identifications. This time however, it doesn't seem that there is a choice. Canada Post has indicated they will keep the abbreviation the same. What they are really doing is denying the differences and downplaying the importance of Nunavut's desire to go its own way. Don't Northerners have a say?
Some people in the West have suggested names like NWT, NW (short for Northwest), or WA (for Western Arctic), all obvious alternatives. So, coming up with a new abbreviation doesn't seem to be that big a problem. So why not let Northerners decide? And since Canada Post has had six years to come up with something and hasn't, maybe Northerners should decide.
Here's how Canada Post defends its decision: "The only way to abbreviate Nunavut Territory is NT, so we're not looking to change it, there's no need," said Keith Miller in post office sales and retailing. The Western Arctic will keep the NT abbreviation too, he said, "unless it changes its name and then we would have to revisit that."
A recent xxxNews/North article suggested that keeping the same abbreviation for both regions would only reinforce the North's popular belief that the South cares little and knows less about what goes on north of 60. This argument has a certain amount of truth that reveals a great deal about what is understood about the two regions as separate and distinct.
After all, there isn't a province in the country that shares a name, in its long or short form. The idea is ridiculous. Why should the North be any different?
One of the sure signs that summer is on its way is the students' annual hunt for summer jobs.
With diminishing resources for funding post-secondary education, summer jobs are a mandatory part of the curriculum for many students. Reduced government spending also means the biggest single employer of students is hiring fewer.
With the economic pressures on business these days, no doubt employers in town will do what they can. Hiring and training students is an investment in the future, both their's and for the community. Besides needed income, summer jobs can provide students with experience and skills that strengthen their ability to join the workforce after graduation.
After all, part of job creation is ensuring that people have the skills to do the jobs created.
Let's see. If the choice as offered as a recent city conference is between "bedroom community" or "knowledge capital," we won't waste any time mulling over the options.
More than a few cities have learned one of the most lucrative ways to broaden a city's economic base lies in information technology. Ottawa is no longer just a city of civil servants, for example. And Calgary employs more than just oil riggers and executives.
Both now claim silicon valleys of their own. Yellowknife could, with a little creative hard work and patience, be the central gatekeeper of the Northern information flow.
We already have most of the computers. Let's make sure we keep it that way.
Few rites of passage are as important to a teenager as getting a driver's licence. So it's not surprising to find resistance to raising the standards for young people getting behind the wheel.
But the unavoidable fact is that teenagers are responsible for a disproportionately high share of road accidents. Making them wait another year or two before they're allowed to assume unsupervised control over a car or truck, as the GNWT is considering, is a reasonable restriction.
Even more welcome is the proposal to introduce zero-tolerance for young drivers when it comes to alcohol. Just how much you can drink without blowing over is a lesson one needs to learn. The answer is none.
In last week's Yellowknifer, investment adviser Todd Ferguson wrote about Grade 8s playing the stock market, without money.
The Mildred Hall students were encouraged by teacher Blake Wile. This is not the first time such a project has been undertaken in our schools but it is always a worthwhile one, especially the connection to the adult world.
Many adults don't understand the stock market though the security of their RRSPs may depend upon it. It's also good for kids to discover how easily money is lost when greed takes over.
Once the students master the stock market, they should move on to keeping a credit card below its limit, a lesson many adults have a hard time learning.