Dawn Ostrem
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Sep 24/01) - Parcels destined for 47 fly-in communities in the Territories are stacking up in Yellowknife.

Parcels larger than 250 grams aren't flying anywhere thanks to new security measures put in place by Transport Canada. - NNSL file photo

Canada Post is only allowed to transport mail below 250 grams by air. The restriction was put in place by Transport Canada as a part of "enhanced security measures."

"The security measures are being kept confidential to protect the travelling public," explained Transport Canada spokesperson Peter Coyles in Ottawa when asked for further details.

The regulations Canada Post is being forced to comply with came into effect on Sept. 17, shortly after flight service resumed after terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Washington.

David Craig, Canada Post area manager in Yellowknife, said the regulations will stay intact indefinitely.

"That's the rules Transport Canada put out and we are going to have to abide by them," he said.

"I have had lots of calls from people asking questions about it."

Craig said parcels destined for communities such as Fort Good Hope or Wha Ti are being piled up in various facilities in Yellowknife.

Last week he said there were close to 15 four-by-four-by-four-foot cages filled with addressed packages.

Parcels are not allowed to be flown out of fly-in communities either.

Paulatuuq, a 300-person hamlet skirting Darnley Bay, is handling the situation fairly well at this point, said Mayor Keith Dodge, but he is worried about the future.

"There is a big backlog of freight (that is supposed to be) coming in and I imagine it will get a lot more difficult," he said.

Most of Paulatuuq's supplies come off the yearly barge in the summer but materials such as car parts often have to be shipped by air.

Dodge also made reference to members of the community who order skinning and hunting knives from Winnipeg.

"If you can't send it by mail how are you going to get it?," he questioned.

The Northern Store in the hamlet is managing since food is being flown by airlines after a thorough check of materials and manifests are completed.

The week after the bombings the store's produce section emptied but merchandise is now flowing in again from Inuvik.

What is not coming in, and causing problems for the store's banking service, is cash.

The store supplies debit machine withdrawals, cheque-cashing and financing.

"With the airline restriction we have a cash restriction at the store," manager Darren Price explained, adding nothing over $200 can be taken out per day per customer.

Because paper money does not show up through x-ray machines it has to be opened by security and Price can not sign for such a package.

"As soon as I sign for it I accept responsibility and I don't know if it is all there if it has been opened," Price explained. As for important business documents Price said he will get by on e-mail and fax machine communication.