Daniel MacIsaac
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Apr 14/00) - Steps are being taken to form a new chamber of commerce in Inuvik.

NWT chamber executive director Bob Brooks, who was in Inuvik last week attending the Catch the Spirit 2000 business conference, took the opportunity to stage an information meeting for local businesses and government representatives.

"Not as many people showed up as had expressed interest to me on the trade fair floor, but I still think there's a definite desire out there to get a chamber started," he said from Yellowknife.

"It's now up to Inuvik businesses to take the bull by the horns and see what they can do, with the support of the NWT chamber."

Only about a dozen people attended the meeting, and government representatives outnumbered private businesspeople two to one. But Brooks said he was happy to see Lyle Neis, general manager of Inuvik Gas Ltd., and Mary Beckett from Beckett Business Services express their willingness to help and act as liaison people to local businesses.

"I went both on my own and as part of Inuvik Gas, because we're interested in seeing a revival," said Neis. "It wouldn't have a specific purpose for Inuvik Gas, but from the community-business point of view, it would help provide another voice and to the territorial government as well."

Beckett said while it was good to see relatively new Inuvik businesspeople like Neis come out, the timing of the meeting was a problem for some.

"Only the government guys would call a meeting a 4 o'clock in the afternoon," she said. "If you're in business, a lunch-hour meeting is much more effective."

Beckett said reasons for the collapse of the last chamber a couple of years ago were also discussed. Generally, it's thought the chamber's merging with the Western Arctic Regional Visitors Association and then with Western Arctic Trade and Tourism led to conflicting mandates, confusion and finally apathy.

But both Beckett and accountant Derek Lindsay pointed to Brooks' stress on the need for a contract-position administrator, who would be independent of the executive and board.

"The idea is to have the administrative process separate so that members are not involved in the day-to-day operations," said Lindsay. "That's the reason the last one fell apart."

Lindsay also emphasized the need to let the newcomers take a leadership role in a new chamber, while the veterans provide support.

"Crusty old people like me should step out and let the new ones step in," he said. "I'd sit back and help where I can."

Past president Rob Cook said he purposely avoided the meeting for the same reason, saying he would be a member of a new chamber but would like to see new people at the helm.

"I blame myself partly (for the collapse of the last chamber) for not having had more time, but there was just a small core group keeping it going and we got burnt out," he said. "They have to be careful about that now, and make sure that when new members join they get involved and have responsibilities and that the chamber offers something of interest to them."

Lindsay said he understands how voluntarism can only go so far in Inuvik, and that individuals can get stretched too far sitting on too many boards. But, he added, a unified business voice would be beneficial, even when it comes to projects like the ongoing beautification initiative. His point was seconded by Brian Desjardins, town tourism and fund-raising co-ordinator.

"From my perspective it would be beneficial to have a chamber of commerce in Inuvik again," said Desjardins. "It would make it easier for my job in organizing special events or projects ... we could develop that partnership to get things done."