It isn't the report of the special committee on the conflict of interest process that troubles us. We agree with most of the conclusions they drew and some of the recommendations.

Likewise, it isn't the sorry behaviour of former health minister Jane Groenewegen, conflict commissioner Carol Roberts, or even top cabinet aides John Bayly and Lynda Sorensen that troubles us most.

The special committee objected to discrepancies between what Kakfwi told the legislative assembly and what they thought he must have known at the time. It described an administration in need of an "ethical compass" and recommended quick action to restore the public's faith in the government.

Despite all this, Kakfwi could have emerged with his integrity intact. He could have shown the leadership qualities that put him the premier's chair. He could have accepted the committee's report, politically motivated as it was, with humility and respect.

Instead, he chose to attack. His response in the legislature last week did not deal with the serious issues raised by the committee's report. By refusing to follow its advice, and going so far as to question its competence, Kakfwi only worsened an embarrassing affair.

It is difficult to see how a contemptuous, defiant premier can command the respect of a consensus-style assembly. To be fair, many ordinary MLAs also behaved rashly and vindictively, plotting a non-confidence motion for this Wednesday, likely without thinking through the consequences.

Kakfwi must find the courage and strength of character to assume at least some responsibility for turning what should have been a minor squabble into a major scandal.

It is not too late for Kakfwi to salvage his and his government's credibility. The opportunity is waning rapidly.

Get ready to dig a little deeper into your wallets Thursday as First Air and Canadian North jack air fares up on all passenger tickets six per cent effective Thursday.

In the case of First Air, the six per cent increase is not limited to passenger air fare but also includes cargo and freight costs.

The rationale for the increase is both predictable and well-publicized for the airline industry which has endured an annus horribilis in 2001. The litany includes fuel costs up more than 400 per cent over last year; insurance costs up more than 200 per cent; Nav Canada fees expected to increase by six per cent in January, as well as landing and terminal fees increasing by a couple of million dollars.

And, of course, Sept. 11.

For Northerners, much of the cost of will be picked up by taxpayers as government employees and politicians travel on the public's business, and private business which must move cargo and freight.

Get ready to pony up. It's all part of living in the North and being part of a crisis-ridden global village.

The pipes that supply Cape Dorset with water are 25 years old and rusting. A replacement project is only now underway, although workers had to take a break earlier this month as freeze-up approached.

Igulik residents found themselves conserving water a couple of weeks ago when a snowstorm made delivery of truck-supplied water impossible.

And in Taloyoak, the hamlet's main water supply line froze solid last week, forcing the mayor to introduce conservation measures and consider hauling water directly from the lake.

Coincidence? Or a sign that communities need some more attention when it comes to essential services.

News from Finance Minister Kelvin Ng that Ottawa is going to fatten Nunavut's coffers to the tune of $55 to $60 million is certainly welcome.

Rapid population growth in Nunavut is straining our infrastructure and the government's ability to provide services to its residents. The changes to the way Ottawa calculates formula financing to the territory come in the nick of time.

The thorny issue for Ng and his colleagues around the cabinet table is what to do with the unexpected bonanza. There is certainly no shortage of worthy items on the territorial ledger deserving of the money.

It's not too much of a stretch to imagine every cabinet minister and ordinary MLA working up wish lists for their various departments and communities. Before the legislative assembly resumes sitting next month, Ng should wave a stop sign in their faces.

Some of the extra money should be used to take care of Nunavut's debt from last year. After that, caution should be the order of the day.

Even before the tragic events of Sept. 11, and the warfare that has followed it, the economic news from the South was not good. To put it mildly, the global economy appears to be going through an extended bumpy period.

That means Ottawa will probably be considerably more tight-fisted with the purse strings in the short and intermediate terms. When Ottawa has cut costs in previous economic downturns, the standard operating procedure in recent years has been to transfer those costs to lower jurisdictions.

Kelvin Ng cannot rely on the generosity of federal Finance Minister Paul Martin. Revenues are falling, unemployment is rising, and it's a safe bet that the cash cow won't be giving nearly as much milk in the future.

Ng and the cabinet must resist the temptation to spend the extra money right away.

So, the Bank of Montreal has decided to bring its relationship with the people of Inuvik to end. No surprise, really. It hasn't been much of a relationship for the past three years, with only a cold and unfeeling automated teller left in town.

According to the bank, that wasn't enough to keep its customers loyal. Many had abandoned the Montreal for the warm embrace of the CIBC, which still employs living, breathing staff in the Delta.

Let this be a warning to all corporations that think they can get away with a robotic telepresence in the Arctic. We Northerners prefer the human touch. And that's not likely to change.

Editorial Comment
Darrell Greer
Kivalliq News

Anyone hanging around the hamlet office in Rankin Inlet this past week was treated to a moment or two of high adventure.

The hamlet's senior administrative and finance officers had to put away two special promises for safe keeping.

Doesn't sound all that daunting, until one realizes they were promises of artificial ice coming to Rankin and construction on the new health facility starting next summer.

Rumour has it the mayor wasn't in the best of moods and wasn't about to cut any slack because these two promises came from fairly reliable sources. So, the SAO and finance officer were forced to put the two new promises in the same closet space occupied by the old assurances.

Fortunately for the hamlet, the dynamic duo was successful and the room didn't blow from the added pressure on an already spring-loaded geyser of scrap paper.

That being said, Community Government and Transportation does have us convinced that by this time next year, hamlet staff will be making artificial ice at the Rankin arena.

We remain forever hopeful the same will be true with the new health facility. But it's still hope, not conviction.

Hamlet council, however, must be relieved by Kelvin Ng stating on the record that its four-year commitment to the health facility is guaranteed, especially at the bargain-basement price of $350,000.

We don't want to downplay the importance of the money. As was stated previously in Kivalliq News, the two $175,000 instalments give the hamlet the ability to meet the next two of its own debenture payments.

However, there's another side to the guarantee, one that's every bit as valuable. It shows hamlet council (and councils of the past) the Nunavut government does recognize their commitment to having a new health facility.

The guarantee shows that councils of the past four years made the right decision in supporting the project and their efforts did not go unnoticed.

Locking the price in for an equity lease agreement for the past four years was the right thing for council to do for its community.

Thankfully, all councillors involved can now breathe a sigh of relief that doing the right thing won't come back and blow up in the hamlet's face.

And, according to Ng, they'll soon have it in writing.

Editorial Comment
Malcolm Gorrill
Inuvik Drum

The murder of Keith Blair has sent a ripple of fear throughout the community.

The Mackenzie Hotel night clerk was found dead the morning of Oct. 17, and while details are still sketchy as the investigation continues, his death is being treated as a homicide.

Thankfully, such an act is rare in this area. But this incident is likely to make a lot of people feel a little less secure, at least for the next little while.

It will be especially difficult for those who worked with Blair, as well as his friends and family.

It is to be hoped that the person or persons responsible for this shocking act are brought to justice, and quickly.

Chance encounter heart-warming

It's not often a reporter gets to cover a gem of a story like the one involving Rosie Grandjambe and Sara Jane Firth.

The two women bumped into each other at the Inuvik Regional Hospital, after not having seen each other, or hearing from each other, for 39 years.

Though their reunion was brief, they promised to keep in touch from now on.

This chance encounter is perhaps all the more special and noteworthy nowadays, as the world needs some heart-warming stories in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and their aftermath.

Special entertainment

A good time was had by all those who turned out last Saturday for Fiddler's Roost, a jam session by local musicians.

The idea behind Fiddler's Roost is for everyone within the circle to have a chance to shine, and accompany other musicians when they wish.

The result is some beautiful singing and instrument playing, and a soothing way to wile away an afternoon. After all, while large concerts are nice, few things can beat a concert held in a small place, with a small audience and intimate atmosphere.

Here's hoping Fiddler's Roost becomes an established weekend event in the months ahead.

While on the subject of music, congratulations are extended to the members of Delta Flood, who recently launched their debut, self-titled CD.

Editorial Comment
Derek Neary
Deh Cho Drum, Fort Simpson

The village's sewage treatment plant was once heralded by former mayor Norm Prevost as cutting-edge technology. That was the primary association with the $1.8-million project in its early phases in 1999.

Prevost boasted over the plant at the NWT Waste Water Association annual general meeting, the NWT Association of Municipalities annual general meeting and at a Deh Cho First Nations leadership assembly. He told delegates the water coming from the sewage treatment plant would be so clean that a person could actually drink it (to which delegates usually replied, "You can have the first cup.").

Unfortunately, the promise of top-of-the-line technology has been overshadowed by a legal debacle. Over the past two years, there have been endless disputes and four claims of lien filed against the plant.

Now the situation is about to go before the court. It certainly won't be resolved soon as the legal process is tedious, but at least the result will be conclusive.

When people flush their toilets in Fort Simpson, naturally, their first feeling will still be, "What a relief." Unfortunately, their second thoughts will likely be of all the legal bills piling up with the sludge at the other end.

Power potential from the river

Like other regions in the NWT, the Deh Cho has the option to cash in on hydro energy production from the Mackenzie River. The question is how much is too much, and how little can be viable?

If a mega-project were constructed, such as a dam or an ambitious run-of-the-river turbine system, there's potential for flooding.

Petr Cizek, land-use planner for the Deh Cho First Nations, noted that more than 30 per cent of Deh Cho traditional land-use activities occur within one kilometre of the Mackenzie River. The tracts of land along the river generally contain the richest soil, the largest timber and are teeming with wildlife. He also pointed out that the Mackenzie's tributaries are spawning areas.

So if a smaller project were considered, would it still be economically feasible? Even if it generates enough surplus power to sell a percentage, is there a market for it? How would it be conveyed? More analysis is needed.