Leaders unite
Conference produces co-operation

Daniel MacIsaac
Northern News Services

Inuvik (Nov 12/99) - This year's Beaufort Delta Leaders Conference saw a shift towards greater level of regional co-operation and it produced a total of 11 resolutions.

The conference, held last week at the Midnight Sun Recreation Complex, brought together the mayors of the eight regional communities as well as community corporations, Gwich'in and Inuvialuit representatives.

The Beaufort Delta Self-Government Negotiations Office co-ordinated the event and chief negotiator, Bob Simpson, played the role of chairman at Friday's meeting of mayors.

"The last two leadership meetings have become much more businesslike and action-oriented and progressive," Simpson said. "I think the leaders are realizing there are some very big issues they have to handle on the regional level -- the past meetings have been a little like bitch-sessions, where they can come and complain, but now they know they can do things regionally."

Among the topics raised at the three-day conference was public housing in the communities. Simpson said delegates raised concerns that rigid rental rates may mean that tenants have little incentive to change their situation and therefore risk losing their cheap rent.

"Whereas current (NWT Housing Corporation) rental rate schedules for public housing units are a disincentive to the tenants of the units seeking and maintaining employment," reads Resolution No. 2, "therefore be it resolved that the Beaufort Delta Leaders encourage and support the efforts of the NWTHC and (the Department of Education, Culture and Employment) to address this concern."

Other conference resolutions covered dealing with the reduction of approximately $32 million over the next decade as the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation transfers responsibilities to the territories and provinces. On the elderly, the leaders resolved to help develop a five-year capital plan related to senior citizens facilities.

Another resolution recognized that the smaller communities are experiencing difficulty in recruiting and retaining government staff and resolved that the government, should revisit the Northern allowance as incentive.

Inuvik deputy mayor Peter Clarkson said he was pleased that the delegates had also resolved to urge the post-election legislative assembly to reaffirm its commitment to and proceed with the construction of a new Aurora Campus facility in Inuvik. He added that if there was anything missing from the conference, it was time.

"By the time we get through the agenda there's never enough time to be able to do any proactive things that would be good for the region -- like what we can do for elders and youth," he said.

Clarkson said it was good to see the regional leaders come together, and Simpson added that delegates also resolved to create a work plan and make progress on the Political Accord, signed this fall during the visit of Robert Nault, the minister of Indian and Northern Affairs. Simpson also said goals included making the regional council a legal entity and enhancing co-operation among the Gwich'in, Inuvialuit and non-aboriginal communities.

"The only thing the communities have had in common so far is an interest in self-government," he said.

"There are a lot of different issues out there and they've always been reluctant to see their power or resources being drawn away by the creation of another body, but when they see that something like a pipeline would bring enough money and jobs for everyone, they're more willing to co-operate."