MLAs to reconvene in Cam Bay
Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services
Cambridge Bay (Apr 30/01) - The beds have been booked for months. The meals are all planned and the extra stock, including lots of country food, has been ordered.
It's all in preparation for Nunavut's legislature, scheduled to meet in the Kitikmeot community starting May 16. The session is estimated to last until May 30.
The move brings the government closer to the people, it also brings along an economic boom for the host community.
Rhonda O'Brien expects a surge in business. The manager of the Arctic Islands Lodge and of the community's Inns North facility, O'Brien each hotel's 26 available beds are booked.
At the Lodge, a single room goes for $185 a night, while a double costs $260. At Inns North, rooms ring in at $150 per person.
No extra staff is being hired to handle all the guests, she said.
"We can handle it with the staff we have," said O'Brien, adding that in March seven different conferences were in town and the staff pulled it off without any problems.
That's good news for O'Brien, particularly in that she's scheduled to take holidays during the session.
"That's why we're getting so organized now," said O'Brien. "We'll have everything in place and completely under control."
Co-op manager Angela Butt said they had the stock they needed already on hand and didn't need to order extra food or souvenirs.
"We have it already here," said Butt.
A good experience
As well as generating increased business in Cambridge Bay's commercial enterprises, the two-week sitting will also give local residents the opportunity to see the Legislature in action.
Kiilinik high school receptionist Christine Aknavigak said the plan to bring the MLAs to Cambridge Bay was a good idea.
"We'll get to meet all the MLAs and see them in person. I'm glad they're moving around," she said.
Aknavigak said it would also prove to be a good learning experience for students.
Legislative public affairs officer Tony Rose said it was all systems go as far as the support staff in Iqaluit and Cambridge Bay were concerned.
A replica mace has been completed - the original was deemed too expensive to travel the territory after last year's Rankin Inlet session - and audio-visual and staff arrangements were all made over the last four months.
"It doesn't mean there won't be any glitches, but we're all projecting a positive experience in Cambridge Bay," said Rose.
Cost on holding the session in Cambridge Bay wouldn't be available until after the session wrapped up.
