Friday, November 5, 1999
We share council's suspicion of what Indian and Northern Affairs officials may have said to Miramar regarding a tax break if the company buys into the Giant property.
Many people, rightly or wrongly, believe a tax break is not a deciding factor in the deal. Presumably, Miramar's desire to buy was based upon operational efficiencies. Gold prices jumped only after the company announced its intentions so it appears even with low prices, the purchase made good sense.
On the other hand, DIAND is on the record as saying sacrifices may be necessary, referring to the ratepayers of Yellowknife. We hope councillors resist offering ratepayers up as the sacrificial lambs at DIAND's behest.
We already went through that with Peggy Witte, huge sacrifice to no avail.
Judging from CBC reporter Lee Selleck's two-year quest for information on territorial government building leases, it takes the resources of the federal government to force the territorial government to follow its own rules.
Using the territorial government's own access to information legislation, Selleck, ran into a bureaucratic (brick!) wall.
With the backing of CBC's formidable legal team, Selleck put the issue to the territorial Supreme Court, a very costly strategy but in this case necessary. Justice John Vertes ruled largely in favour of Selleck's request and the information should be released.
The whole affair casts doubt on the government's commitment to open government, as Justice Vertes observed. We hope officials are directed to regain the public's trust.
Last weekend the federal government gave up a 15-year battle and decided to settle their pay-equity dispute with unionized workers.
The federal government had thrown every legal argument their braintrust could think of at the case and still the Supreme Court rejected their claim. The final tab is expected to be in the neighbourhood of $3.6 billion, roughly $1 billion of that in accumulated interest on the money owed.
It is time the GNWT showed a little humility and admitted that their battle is over as well.
Unlike the federal government, which budgeted for an eventual loss, the GNWT says it has no money. However, the government can take the initiative and begin negotiating a settlement that doesn't cripple the very programs government employees deliver.
From the ideas-worth-noting file: In Ndilo, the entrepreneurially minded Bill Fandrick is testing a water recycling system that will convert waste water into water clean enough to wash in.
Basically, it's like having a small-scale sewage plant in your basement. The potential savings for both the consumer and the environment are remarkable.
Its application in the North is self-evident in light of the number of communities that rely on trucked water.
While still in its trial run, the prognosis looks good. To some, the notion of worrying about adequate water supplies in the Territories may seem a bit alarmist. However, as environmentalists are fond of saying, "think globally, act locally." Sensible, affordable water management is one more step towards a responsible approach to the in which world we live.
Editorial Comment
Daniel MacIsaac
Inuvik Drum
An Inuvik resident recently raised concerns regarding the CIBC-sponsored Run for the Cure. She was right to do so.
The CIBC, of course, is definitely in the right, by organizing and staging an event in support of research to find a cure for breast cancer. CIBC was also correct in changing its format of awarding prizes for fund-raisers -- basing those prizes on the amounts of money raised rather than by random draw. The new system encourages fund-raising and rewards participants who hustle up the most pledges for this worthy cause and it should remain in place.
As one Inuvik woman pointed out, however, steps should be taken by the bank to ensure that next time around the format and the prizes are advertised well before the event takes place. If they are competing for those same prizes, CIBC staff should also ensure that everyone knows they are soliciting funds as individual participants.
The staff of the Inuvik CIBC did great work in making this year's run a success and helping raise more than $5,000, but next year's run will be even more of a success when it leaves absolutely everyone happy.
Addressing concerns
The recent management shakeup at the Inuvialuit Communications Society is an unfortunate business, particularly in a small community the size of Inuvik. Personnel matters can be difficult, as can office relations and dealing with fall-outs. Parties on all sides of the debate have been right to be cautious in assessing the situation and taking it public.
The ICS is partially funded by federal tax dollars, however, and therefore publicly accountable. Its board should continue to work with all expediency at finding solutions and remaining accountable.
Ice dancers
Kudos must go to Thea Salkeld and Chuck Gordon for their work in organizing the Ingamo ice rink. Small in scale, the rink nevertheless represents a major victory to the neighbourhood kids. Sure, there's the amazing Midnight Sun Arena, but there's also no substitute for an outdoor rink for atmosphere -- at least until it dips below -25 C.
Once again, Inuvik businesses and the fire department have rallied around a worthwhile project. Let's hope the town does the same. Rinks and parks are relatively low-cost expenditures but make a major difference in the lives of children, teens and their families -- and they look great to boot.
Editorial Comment
Derek Neary
Deh Cho Drum
In the Deh Cho riding, Sam Gargan and Michael McLeod will square off, while in Nahendeh Jim Antoine will attempt to fend off Bill Laferte and Paul Gammon. Now that we officially know who all the candidates are, it's time to bend their ears. Be sure to call them (at a reasonable hour) with your concerns.
When you see them on the street, approach them and let them know what you're thinking. Study their reactions as you ask them some tough questions. Listen to their responses carefully and be sure they aren't dodging any issues. If they're uninformed about a particular issue, try to gauge their honesty and willingness to find out more about it.
The GNWT's role in Deh Cho First Nations self-government negotiations would be a good one, for example.
Fortunately, the candidates are in favour of a candidates' forum. Let's hold them to that. It would be quite informative and, at the very least, entertaining.
Jim Antoine held constituency meetings just a few weeks ago. I was able to attend the one in Fort Simpson, and I can tell you it was a dud. The few people who did turn up at the meeting mostly had concerns about student financial assistance (an education matter) and the condition of the roads in Fort Simpson (a municipal matter). If there are some community members who are ready to explode over territorial government issues, they were either preoccupied or unaware of the constituency meeting.
Actually, I've heard a few people mention that there wasn't enough notice of the event. If that's the explanation, the blame lies elsewhere. If it was bingo that was preventing anyone from airing his or her complaints, then it's a matter of poor priorities. Some people were apparently at the District Education Authority meeting to hear Minister of Education Michael Miltenberger face the music. That's understandable. Yet, there have been people on the street who have expressed a "What have you done for me lately?" attitude. Perhaps residents in other Nahendeh communities had some gripes to throw Antoine's way. Then again, maybe it's tacit approval of the job he has done.
Antoine has two terms worth of experience. He sounded quite confident when he announced he would be seeking office again during the Deh Cho Assembly in Kakisa. He said he knows the job well and said he would support any other candidate who could do it better (not that he had anyone in mind). In the Deh Cho riding, Sam Gargan has completed four terms. He has emerged the winner again and again. It will be interesting to see whether McLeod can make a dent in the armour.
Thankfully, there won't be any candidates acclaimed in either region this time around. It's good to have a choice, and to see democracy in action. Some may argue that democracy merely means that there's an opportunity for anyone to run, regardless of whether acclamation occurs or not. This is true. However, an election gives the electorate one more chance to affirm their support in a candidate of choice and one last chance to change their minds.
Let's just hope that the turnout is impressive. A recent city council byelection in Yellowknife attracted a paltry 20 per cent of voters. We can do better than that, can't we? Let's prove apathy doesn't rule.
Yes, ladies and gentlemen of the Deh Cho, we have a couple of election races on our hands.
Editorial Comment
Darrell Greer
Kivalliq News
While there can be no doubt the CEO of the Keewatin Regional Health Board takes the accusations very seriously and is sincere in his promise to investigate, they are going to be difficult to verify or easily dismiss.
The accusations came from the group home's former programs manager, Bob Vibert, and cover 15 separate incidents.
If there ever was any substance to Vibert's claims, Dr. Best may have foregone any opportunity to verify the claims by honouring the former programs manager's request to wait until after he had left the community to launch an investigation.
Barring any tangible evidence turning up during Dr. Best's inquiry into the matter, residents of Rankin Inlet would be well advised to remember these are only accusations which, to date, remain unfounded.
If any evidence of misbehaviour on the part of the staff does surface, we would expect Dr. Best to act expeditiously and quite sternly in dealing with the matter.
However, that being said, the reputation of a care-giving facility and its staff is at stake here.
We would hate to see any facility or its workers suffer a loss of reputation due to unsubstantiated accusations, especially one perceived as having a solid track record.
The nature of the accusations and the manner in which they were recorded, submitted and investigated will make it every bit as difficult for group home staff to disprove Vibert's contentions as for Dr. Best's investigation to turn up any physical proof.
In short, a stereotypical case of he says, she says.
Fortunately, with the possible exception of some areas of family law, the onus in this country is still on the accusor to prove his accusations.
There are, however, countless chronicled cases where the accusation, by itself, was enough to ruin an individual or an organization's reputation.
Hopefully, here in the Kivalliq, we are above that and will demand to be shown proof before lending any credence to these accusations.
All too often in today's society people are willing to believe the worst, based simply on the claims of others.
We, as Kivalliq residents, must be prepared to allow Dr. Best to complete his inquiry before forming an opinion.
And, if the claims are ruled unsubstantiated by the good doctor, there should be no lingering shadows of doubt cast upon the group home or its staff.
As individuals, we would want the same consideration should accusations ever befall us.
Dr. Keith Best has been put in a very difficult situation by accusations of abuse at a Rankin Inlet group home.