Fair representation is a cornerstone of the democratic process. The size and shape of the electoral districts is second only to the franchise to vote when it comes to the just administration of the democratic process.
So, how can the majority of elected members of the legislative assembly look at the numbers, read the recommendations, consult with the law clerk and vote the other way? Because giving more seats to Yellowknife will infuriate their constituents?
This isn't a matter of conscience nor is it an ethical issue. The irrelevant whining by a majority of the legislative assembly, including cabinet ministers, about the amenities and access to power enjoyed by the residents of Yellowknife has nothing, absolutely nothing, to do with fair representation.
Sadly, the matter will end up in front of the courts. After a costly round of legal bantering and waving of precedents, the courts will inevitably rule in favour of those citizens of Yellowknife who are suing for fair representation.
Taxpayers will pick up the tab and we'll be right back to where we started, with freshly chastened MLAs reading the Electoral Boundaries Commission report. Leaving a decision to the courts that the elected members don't have the courage to make is enough to make you wonder why we don't scrap the legislature altogether and vote for judges.
The lack of political will and leadership surrounding this issue has been nothing short of astounding. The premier, who could have used the opportunity of this contentious issue to demonstrate why he was chosen in the first place, opted instead to sit demurely as the member for Tu Nedhe and cast his vote with the torrent of predictable yet pointless anti-Yellowknife sentiment.
This retreat from common sense and good government throws into question the effectiveness of consensus government. MLAs Vince Steen and Stephen Kakfwi were the only two who were able to rise to the challenge.
As the Western Arctic spins towards division without resolution of the constitutional issue, add electoral confusion to the list. Where is the leadership and vision when it is needed most?
In case readers think we are being too harsh on the MLAs for lacking leadership, consider their bungling of the polar bear licence plate.
Divvying up Worker's Compensation Board and the Power Corporation after division will require informed negotiation with close attention to the bottom line. Statesmanship and goodwill can make those tasks as painless as possible.
Did we see a hint of those qualities from Western Arctic MLAs regarding the licence plates? Hardly, just self-serving playpen politics.
Why could the offer not have been made to Nunavut to share the plate? The argument that Nunavut has no roads out supports a generous gesture more than the present petty grab.
At this rate, Nunavut may just decide they'll find more friends down south and take their business there. Who could blame them?
Let's hope city hall's jubilation over this year's budget is justified.
According to the city's new budget, by the year 2004 the city could lower its debt to $17.4 million from $23.6 million. With the long-term debt "under control" as Mayor Dave Lovell puts it, the city has also announced it won't be -- unlike other towns -- putting off any expenses for sewer and water upgrading and paving projects. But despite this apparent good news and a promise of no new taxes, it all hinges on the economy.
If gold remains stable and Con Mine, the city's biggest taxpayer, resumes production, then city council must hold the line on spending. Again, if that happens, the Mayor, council and administration, will have done their job well.
Editorial Comment
Marty Brown
Kivalliq News
OK, I give up. At least every week I march to the post office, check the Kivalliq mailbox and low and behold, there's mail. I get excited. Is it a cheque? Is it letters to the editor?
Is it a bill? No! It's from our friend Alan Rock, the federal minister of justice. Is he writing to wish me season's greetings? Happy birthday? Or happy new year? Nope, it's yet another bulletin from the Canadian Firearm Centre.
Is it in English or French? Well, sort of, but it's really "governmenteze." So that means no one really understands it except bureaucrats.
"Starting December 1, 1998, there will be times when a firearm needs to be verified," the press release reads.
Now, I don't know about you but I wasn't too sure what that meant. So I looked it up in the Oxford dictionary. Verify: establish the truth or correctness of by examination or demonstration i.e. like always verify your references. Hmmm...that doesn't make much sense.
Or bear out, make good, fulfil (prediction or promise) Still doesn't make much sense to me. Affidavits, support proofs...in regards to a gun?
Further down the page it says "verification is a quality -- assurance measure for Canada's new firearms registration system whereby firearm owners will meet with an approved firearms verifier who will ensure that the description of their firearm on the registration application form is accurate."
I'm really starting to lose interest in bulletin No. 25 but I realize I have a vested interest in gun laws so I should be paying attention. Well, actually I'm not interested in them at all, but short of burying an old 22-calibre rifle under a rock or in the back garden, I should know the rules and regulations of gun laws.
I kind of got the gun by accident. It belonged to my husband who used it to shoot varmints like groundhogs and rabbits that were in the garden. It was also handy for putting things out of their misery like dogs.
I ended up with the gun and brought it North because my son thought it might come in handy. The son left the North, but the gun and I haven't. Right now it's hidden in the attic, wrapped in a blanket.
Who can be bothered getting paperwork and verification for something a) I'll probably never use b) I don't really want or c) I can guarantee will never be used in illegal activities. (Ever looked in the attic? No one will ever find it). I'm really hoping if I ignore it, it will really disappear. And if it doesn't, don't tell Alan Rock where I live, OK?
Let's make a deal, if you don't squeal on me, I'll tell you where you can write, fax or e-mail notification and be taken off the mailing list forever. You will never, ever receive CFC Bulletin No. 26.