Wednesday, June 27, 2001
Canada's privacy commissioner, George Radwanski, certainly has a unique perspective on the difference between the public and private spheres. For his first substantive ruling since new legislation came into force in January, he concluded that the video cameras recently installed to keep on eye on downtown Yellowknife amount to an invasion of privacy.
Security consultant David Beckwith, the man responsible for the cameras, has already bowed to public pressure and removed his surveillance equipment. But Radwanski felt obligated to pass judgment anyway, thanks to a referral from his territorial counterpart.
Curiously, Radwanksi ruled that the "street cams" violate the law, specifically, the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act. We are not convinced the decision is sound.
In the past, the courts have ruled consistently that public streets are just that -- public. Judges have rightly recognized that journalists, for example, cannot be expected to ask for permission from everyone who happens to appear in every photograph taken of a public space. Nevertheless, Radwanksi, himself a former journalist, has a different idea.
We strongly support Radwanski when he writes that "no one should have to go through life feeling that someone could be literally or metaphorically looking over their shoulder."
But that is not the issue here. Public photography cannot, by definition, constitute an invasion of privacy.
Perhaps the problem is Radwanski has lost his respect for the need for an informed citizenry. Earlier this month, in a speech to the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, he called access to information an "administrative right" as opposed to the "human right" of privacy.
Such a simplistic view of Constitutional rights suggests journalists and others interested in an free and open government could be in for a rough ride if his ruling is left unchallenged.
Information is power, as any bureaucrat worth a pension will testify. That's why those who have it are loathe to share it with those who don't. The recent experience of Percy Kinney, chief coroner for the Northwest Territories, is a case in point.
In the course of his inquiries into a fatal accident, the coroner asked the Department of Highways to share its maintenance records on Highway 3. After some toing and froing, a cautious bureaucrat told the coroner to make a formal request for access to information.
That is a time-consuming process, and one that allows the department to stall as it looks for reasons not to part with its precious power base. In this case, it was also not necessary. According to a senior Department of Highways official, "maintenance records are available for the coroner anytime he wants."
That wasn't the coroner's experience. While the department is sorting out its tangled story lines, we would suggest that it extend the same open access policy to all citizens.
The North has plenty of problems because people abuse alcohol. That's the response the Brew Den's Jody Cogdale has received to his request to open a so-called "U-Brew in Yellowknife."
He may be just one business, albeit with a 300-name petition of support, asking for a change in the law. But it's a suggestion that would open up new opportunities in other communities. At the very least, it's worth a telephone call or e-mail to another jurisdiction that does allow U-Brews to see if they create the problems the GNWT foresees.
It's likely they'll find that people who brew their own beer and wine do it as a hobby, because it is a lot of work. It is doubtful that most people in for a quick bootlegging buck would wait the four to six weeks it takes to brew a batch. Generating tax revenue and ensuring minors don't take part are easy to legislate.
Editorial Comment
Jorge Barrera
Kivalliq News
By the time this newspaper winds up in your hands, Jordin Tootoo will have been drafted by an NHL team, the first Inuk to make big-time hockey.
The story goes with all the storybook trappings of a Canadian hockey legend: Kid from small-town no-where learns the game playing shinny, gets discovered and the rest is history. But the kid is usually from the Prairies or some Ontario town.
For once, the story begins in Nunavut. It sets a precedent in this fledgling territory.
The Tootoo story goes beyond sports. It's a story about an Inuk breaking into the elite stratosphere of Canadian society -- like Iglulik filmmaker Zacharias Kunuk.
Slowly at first, these bright stars of Nunavut are shinning a light for the next generation to follow.
It's possible. It's there. Tootoo and Kunuk are examples of greatness in any facet of society. Such greatness is achievable, even from small communities like Iglulik and Rankin Inlet.
Where someone is from has nothing to do with the end result. It's OK to think big, bigger as possible. The sky is the limit, despite limitations that seem to loom over life sometimes.
It begins with the little things like staying that extra hour after school to nail down a math problem, or reading that extra novel, or staying on the ice a little longer to hone a shot.
It's true that there is no such thing as a level playing field. Economic status, region and social situations play a role in what lane someone starts the race, but they're not impossible obstacles to overcome. It begins with the idea, the desire to achieve something. From there it's about running hard.
The success of Tootoo and Kunuk are to be celebrated, but the exciting part is the paths these two have beaten. It'll be a little easier for those coming from behind. Now there is an example to emulate, a trail to follow.
Editorial Comment
Malcolm Gorrill
Inuvik Drum
The person or persons who broke into the Inuvik Community Greenhouse last week made off with $2,500.
They also stole some peace of mind from members of the Community Garden Society of Inuvik, as well as community members in general.
Society co-ordinator Carrie Young was right when she said it's not so much the money, it's the insult. The insult is to Young, and everyone else who's helped the greenhouse launch its second commercial season.
It's taken a lot of planning and hard work to get the greenhouse to where it's at today, and anyone involved must have felt at least a little discouraged to hear someone had taken advantage of their labours.
Fortunately society president Effie McLeod has said that while the theft is disappointing, members will keep on with what they've been doing.
With that attitude hopefully the society can put this theft behind them and still have a productive year.
Taking on a challenge
Efforts are being made to establish another worthwhile group in town.
Greg Stromgren and Linda Eccles are setting up a local chapter of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Setting up any society is a challenge, and keeping it going is often quite challenging as well.
But this duo have spotted a need within the community, especially regarding the large number of loose dogs. Whether they end up taking over the running of the pound from the town, or work in partnership with town officials, there's little doubt the Inuvik SPCA could fill a valuable role within the community.
Helmet proposal makes sense
Town council is looking into the possibility of establishing a bylaw to make people wear helmets while riding bicycles, as well as devices like scooters and skateboards.
The move makes sense, especially pertaining to young people, who perhaps won't put on a helmet no matter how many times they're told they can help prevent head injuries.
Enforcing such a bylaw could be a challenge, but once in place for a time, and residents get used to the idea, a lot more people in town will likely be using helmets regularly.
While council debated the issue last week it was said that not many young people in town use helmets. That point was brought home for me last weekend when I went for a half-hour walk, and was hard-pressed to find someone wearing a helmet while biking or skateboarding.
Editorial Comment
Derek Neary
Deh Cho Drum, Fort Simpson
Next week marks the annual Deh Cho Assembly in Kakisa. With people throughout the Mackenzie Valley waiting anxiously for word from the Deh Cho First Nations on a proposed pipeline agreement and with Nahanni Butte pressing for support for a seismic project, there are some ripe issues on the agenda. Hopefully these matters will be dealt with conclusively.
Yet the assembly is more than a series of political and economic affairs discussed around the table. It's an opportunity for the people within the region to catch up with each other, eat together, camp out together and fend off the mosquitoes together. There will be drum dances and an ever-popular talent show. A new arbour is being constructed and it will inevitably be the talk of the first day or two.
During the political discussions some delegates will wander off to have a cigarette on a bench overlooking peaceful Kakisa Lake. They will make small talk, reflect on the nature of the assembly debate (which can be acrimonious at times) or discuss plans for the future.
As the event draws to a close, there will be a sense of urgency to address issues that have been pushed back and to pass resolutions. Whether every item on the agenda is dealt with or not, delegates will close the meetings with a prayer, handshakes and hugs and wishes of safe travel home.
They may leave with a sense of not having accomplished everything they set out to do, but that feeling will be more than matched by the warmth they feel from their relatives, friends and neighbours.