The reason that a mining project undergoes an environmental review is to answer some very simple questions. These questions might be: Will our drinking water be affected? What will happen to the caribou? Will there still be fish to catch? Can we still eat them?
Diavik is currently undergoing a comprehensive review. Under the auspices of DIAND, the review is touring communities that may feel the impact of the mine to see what concerns they might have.
Recently, this road show came to Yellowknife. There was indeed opportunity for the public to ask questions, it followed a two and a half-hour information session. Although the meeting was full at the start, the audience had dwindled by question time.
By the end, the atmosphere was one of mild confusion. People were not sure their questions had actually been answered.
A project like the one Diavik is proposing is a massive, complicated, sophisticated affair. The general public cannot be expected nor should be expected to be familiar with what it takes to bring a mine such as Diavik into production. Long technical responses are not what the public wants. Nor do they want drawn-out explanations. Simple questions demand simple answers. Yes or no are good answers, easy to understand and easy to remember.
The circumstances by which Diavik was granted a comprehensive environmental review rather than a panel review remain murky.
One of the circumstances that would recommend a panel review would be "significant public concern."
DIAND can rest assured that public confusion will transform into significant concern at the current form of review if clear answers aren't forthcoming.
The Diavik project could mean jobs and revenue for Northerners. But it must be built and operated on Northern terms. Straight answers to important questions is one of those terms.
It's not every day that Yellowknifers get the chance to tune in to the local cable TV station and witness seven straight hours of glitch-free television. That was the case last Sunday as viewers throughout the city watched the Stanton Regional Hospital Foundation Telethon.
Broadcast throughout the North via TVNC, the program clearly was a roaring success, pulling in pledges totalling $136,178.
Considering all the giving going on this time of year as Christmas nears -- food drives, toy drives, book drives, adopt a family -- it's pretty substantial for a town of 17,000 to be able to pull off a program as well done as the telethon.
Do the math and you'll find that for every Northerner, almost $2.50 was donated during the telethon.
Held to raise money so the Stanton Regional Hospital can add a much-needed CT Scanner to its X-ray department, the telethon fell on the heels of one of the most successful fund-raising years the city has ever seen.
The campaign committee had already raised $1.73 million for the CT Scan. Now, after adding the proceeds that were raised during the telethon, the foundation only has $440,000 left to go before it reaches its goal.
Not only should all the Northerners who contributed pledges and made donations be thanked for their generosity, but the organizers of the telethon -- which included some 250 volunteers who gave freely of their time -- should be commended for a job well done.
Editorial Comment
Glen Korstrum
Inuvik Drum
From talking to people around town about former premier Don Morin resigning after a damning report from Conflict of Interest Commissioner Anne Crawford, two things become clear.
First, few people have much respect for the integrity of politicians in general.
That means, any gasps I witnessed come not from Crawford deciding Morin contravened territorial conflict laws eight times, but at the revelation that Morin would honourably and voluntarily step aside.
Some relay stories such as that of an area businessman buying a car for a former area politician's wife as an example of how corruption has riddled the area since birth.
Since Crawford's report also implicated Finance Minister John Todd for allowing four contracts to go to his close friend and former associate Roland Bailey, who was not eligible to bid on them, there is much speculation on impending resignations in the current government.
Floyd Roland is popular and some suggest he might make a good premier because he is often seen to work hard and consults constituents more than other MLAs. Still, others are caught up in ever-irresistible politician jokes -- essentially casting a pox on the whole lot as corrupt and saying the caucus should elect Roland premier for such arbitrary and irrelevant standards such as that he is the tallest.
Second, few people are gutsy enough to voice strong opinions on the matter if their names are to go with the comment, much less a photo. Perhaps this is understandable for government employees. Some of them said they swore an oath of loyalty to the government and can't say anything negative on the record.
Others are variously caught up in life in Inuvik to the point that nothing outside seems to matter, or they jump one level of government and confuse Morin's resignation with that of federal Solicitor General Andy Scott.
What do I think of his resignation as premier?
I think he should go all the way, resign his seat as MLA and look for an honest line of work.
Politics can inherently encourage dishonesty because politicians are out to get elected, so many say anything they think people want to hear.
But the concern with Morin goes past the cynicism warranted of all politicians.
When it comes to Morin's dealings, condemning facts include how he concealed much of his business activities from public scrutiny.
He also could have sought approval from the conflict of interest commissioner's office before accepting a free fishing trip from Roland Bailey in 1997.
Freebies form a slippery slope. What starts out as innocent common generosity (such as accepting free coffee and doughnuts) can snowball into something more than questionable -- such as an extra-special deal on a family home.
Having good judgement and a well balanced perspective might have prevented Morin from getting into trouble. But, if he honestly does not know he crossed a line, he needs a reality check.
Editorial Comment
Derek Neary
Deh Cho Drum
Before getting started on the topic of pets, I must note that this will not become a regular theme in my column.
There are those who have pointed out that my predecessor, Art, wrote some wonderful accounts about his cats, particularly the antics of one Diefenbaker. Sorry to disappoint, but Val and I have only one cat, Madi, and she doesn't do anything spectacular enough to warrant more than a single column (sorry, Madi).
Incidently, Dave MacNeil, the editor of the paper where I formerly worked was also renowned for his columns about his cat. I am living with a feline legacy that I simply cannot bear. Madi's exploits are limited to chasing her food whenever Val or I get the inclination to roll a piece down the hallway. On occasion, she'll be found attempting to free herself from a piece of Christmas ribbon when we devilishly wrap it around her tail. You see, if we didn't incite it, her activity would practically be limited to sleeping contentedly in our laps (which she often does).
This week's Coffee Break focuses on pets' names. The common bond among each of the people I spoke to is their adoration for their cats or dogs. All recount their pet's puppy or kitten days with fondness. Each delighted in revealing their pet's idiosyncrasies.
Fort Simpson's Wayne Williams is most convinced of the benefits of pets. He cites scientific studies which confirm that petting an animal can have a calming, soothing effect on a person. Blood pressure naturally lowers during these interactions.
Seeing-eye dogs are invaluable to the blind. K-9 units are extremely useful within many police departments. In the far North, sled dogs are a still a viable means of transportation.
While visiting Fort Simpson in October, veterinarian Dewey Stickney and his assistant Gladys Fazikos affirmed that many Northerners would go to any lengths for their pets. When a life or death health matter arises, they have heard of people having their pets medevaced to the nearest vet, they said. They also said it wasn't that uncommon to have someone from this region arrive on their doorstep in Manning, Alberta with a very sick dog or cat in tow.
That being the case, why are there so many stray animals to be found? It's a real shame that there should be so many dogs wondering loose at all hours. During a community meeting in Fort Simpson, a resident in Wild Rose Acres made it very clear that he was prepared to take action himself if something wasn't done about the neighborhood dogs that made a regular habit of (objectionably) marking the side of his house and his lawn.
In some communities it is legal to shoot loose dogs. Thankfully, it hasn't come to that here. It's not the dog's fault. There's an irresponsible owner out there for each of the animals that are roaming the community on a daily basis -- not to mention all the procreating they are doing, which only exacerbates the problem. I'm sure Bob Barker would be less than impressed.
Those who don't take care of their pets deserve to lose them. Unfortunately, the alternative isn't very pleasant, often leading to the pet's demise.
Please take care of your animals.
Editorial Comment
Marty Brown
Kivalliq News
Fund-raising. It can be a dirty word or a challenge, depending on how you look at it. Let's face it, money makes the world go round, and it seems everything takes money. Whether it's skating at the arena, visiting the library, even going on a picnic, it takes cash.
There are even new university courses that specialize in fund-raising. And it's not just a course or two on how to get money from foundations, but an actual year- long program at the University of Waterloo in southern Ontario. Professional fund-raisers can sniff out finances.
With government cutbacks, fund-raising is very important. Volunteers are taking the place of paid workers. Non-profit organizations are folding and every organization is scrambling for the ever- dwindling government and foundation money.
Canvassers are put on commission. Twirling, twirling, swirling -- everyone is hustling for the buck.
So, what's the easiest way to generate funds? Hold a bingo. The Catholic Church was the first to decide gambling was not the way to go. Gambling is an addiction they decided or maybe a sin. So, no more bingo playing in the church hall. Now, the church seems to have gone into the flea market business in order to offset a deficit.
The Rankin Inlet hamlet council had a tough time deciding whether to allow a lottery terminal in town a couple of years ago. With Nunavut coming, Sport North money would cease and residents of Nunavut needed a way to fund athletics. It costs $1,200 for one hockey player to go from Pond Inlet to Rankin Inlet for a tournament.
After much deliberation and concern for people who would be spending money meant for food on lottery tickets, the hamlet decided to go ahead. As then-counsellor John Hickes said "just because the money's not being spent on lottery tickets doesn't mean it's going on the table."
How to raise $20,000? The hamlet's minor hockey association held a sport weekend.
"Fund-raising depends on people's weaknesses," Brian Zawadski said, sadly. "Drinking and gambling. It's a known fact."
He's on the executive for minor hockey in this hamlet, and along with many other people, spent hours and working on a fund-raising weekend of dances, dinners and a hockey auction. The sport weekend did not bring in as much money as expected. Even the "weakness factor" is bringing a lower return in lately.
In tougher times, fund-raisers have to be imaginative, and sometimes that doesn't even work.
It also takes money to make money. So, now we're back to square one. Short of getting an inheritance and donating the money to charity for the tax receipt, what's the answer?
Raffling off trips for a good cause seems a way to go, but not always. Should morality be brought into fund-raising?
We could auction off Donny Morin's wardrobe. After the next election he'll only have the shirt on his back anyway.
Maybe raise the price on cigarettes. That seems to be the answer to everything lately. Killing two birds with one stone, raising money and encouraging people to quit smoking.
I don't have any answers, but if you do, call the office. Maybe we can go into the fund-raising business together.