When wildlife officer Rick Sanderson guided a Fort Providence hunting party to illegally shoot and butcher a wood bison, he betrayed the position of his post and the people of the NWT.

The crime committed was more than just the killing of a bison. Sanderson went further in filing a false report and although he admitted to his crimes, Judge Halifax was right to go beyond the Crown's recommendation of one day in jail and a fine for each count.

Entrusted with the enforcement of the Wildlife Act, the officer defied the law and should never have that trust again.

The judge clearly realized the seriousness of this crime, but the Department of Resources Wildlife and Economic Development doesn't seem to share his concern.

RWED hasn't even written a policy regarding their officers and employees breaking the laws they are supposed to enforce. It's not something that comes up every day, but if a cop goes to jail for bank robbery, you can bet he's cashed his last cheque.

The minister refuses to comment. The deputy minister says, "We're reviewing the situation." The assistant deputy minister says, "We're continuing to work on that..."

How is it that the department can consider retaining an employee who was hired to enforce the act but has broken the very rules he was hired to enforce and then tried to cover up his wrongdoing? What kind of message are they sending with this inaction?

Sanderson should have been suspended with pay when charged and fired immediately on conviction. Holding his job for him while he does his time is a disservice to the people of the North and an insult to the men and women who dutifully enforce this act on a daily basis.

Sanderson's peers at the Renewable Resource Officer's Association view the governments lack of action as a bad example. They say it reflects badly on them and enforcement officers who take protecting wildlife and other resources very seriously.

"I believe a constitution can permit the co-existence of several cultures and ethnic groups within a single state." Trudeau, September 30,1965

Of all the phrases associated with Pierre Elliot Trudeau, 'A J ust Society' stands out.

It was a central part of the election platform that swept him into power.

However right or wrong Trudeau may have been with his policies, his dedication to the democratic principle of self-determination for Inuit set the stage for the birth of Nunavut.

His position was not terribly sympathetic. Instead, he expected people to vigorously present their arguments and be prepared to work long and hard on negotiations, no matter how long it took.

Nunavummiut, accepted the challenge and Nunavut now confirms Trudeau's vision. Nunavut is the product of Trudeau's 'Just Society'.

The clandestine politics of the Kimmirut hamlet council could potentially be explosive for the small, south Baffin community of only 400 people.

Some residents are saying they are "kept in the dark" about the firing of the senior administrative officer and they want to know what happened.

Others allege that the hamlet's way of conducting business has led to threats and intimidation tactics, again stemming from the firing of the SAO.

What the public wants to know is what happened and who is going to run the community while officials are tied up with arguments and court dates.

Right now the hamlet is failing the people they represent -- they should keep in mind that they are elected by the people for the people.

There was a senseless killing on the tundra.

Earlier this month, a guide leading two customers on a caribou hunt was forced to shoot a female grizzly when the foraging animal came too close for comfort.

By all accounts, there was enough time to alert the bear and warn it off. The guide chose to maintain cover in the hope that the animal would pass by and they would be able to continue their hunt for caribou.

It was a poor choice. The grizzly died at their feet, stopped in its charge by the guide's shot. Had he missed, or wounded the bear, the result could have been tragic.

A wildlife officer investigated and let them off, presumably with a stern warning to the guide. A repeat of that sorry performance should result in a stiff fine and a suspension.

This year's Iqaluit municipal election resembles a class presidential race in elementary school.

The one with the most friends wins.

It seems most of the candidates don't feel they need to campaign.

Chris Wilson, who is running for one of the eight council spots, seems to be the only candidate with any notion of what a democratic election entails.

Wilson's posters, in both languages, stand alone on Iqaluit's most frequented venues, Ventures and North Mart.

Mayoralty candidate John Matthews says he is going door to door, but has not put up any posters yet.

Aside from Wilson's posters and Matthews door knocking campaign, Iqaluit bears no marks of an election.

It is a disheartening situation considering the election is a mere 15 days away.

Each candidate, when interviewed, spouts a lot of air about grand visions for improving Iqaluit.

Their ideas will take commitment. This type of commitment should be reflected in the effort they exert during the electoral race.

As of today, most candidate's efforts are zero.

Maybe they don't understand that democracy depends on dialogue spurred by information. If the information doesn't get out, citizens can't dialogue and can't make informed decisions. Then election results are based purely on recognition. A situation that mocks democracy.

Or perhaps the candidates don't respect democracy and are depending on name recognition.

This is worse than ignorance. Maybe it's for financial reasons.

Not a good excuse either. It's hoped the next leaders of Iqaluit will be creative despite any obstacles that crop up. There are many creative ways to campaign that don't demand anything more than a little hard work, some photo-copy paper and twenty bucks.

Or maybe the candidates don't really want to get into office all that bad.

Maybe the candidates see council seats like a class presidency. They get the recognition as the most popular in class and the free candy.