Thorunn Howatt
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Jan 04/02) - Armed with a new mandate, a new executive and a new director, the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce is taking on some big issues in the coming year.

Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce 2002 goals 1. Improve communication with membership and market the benefits of membership to new businesses, particularly home-based businesses. Encourage growth of the Yellowknife economy. 2. Communicate with municipal, territorial, federal and First Nations governments. Anticipate issues that affect membership. 3. Find solutions to the city's housing shortage and stimulate the construction of new housing. Free up available land for development. 4. Address the critical labour shortage by helping government establish training programs. Attract new workers to Yellowknife. 5. Support the tourism industry. Work toward construction of a multi-use conference facility. 6. Promote the expansion of secondary diamond industry. Establish Yellowknife as North America's diamond-trading centre.

If, as chamber president David McPherson says, "the role of the chamber is to be an advocate for Yellowknife businesses. Speak for them and make them aware of issues," the it's well poised to do just that. The chamber represents 512 of the city's businesses. "That on a per capita basis is among the best, if not the best in Canada," said McPherson, noting that one of his goals is maintaining that participation rate.

"We are trying to concentrate on restructuring our memberships," he said, adding the chamber wants to play a stronger supporting role for home-based businesses. "They are telling us at City Hall that there are approximately 900 home-based businesses," he said.

There are two focused projects this year, the spring and the fall trade shows. The spring show has been a financial success for many years. After its second year, the fall show looked like it would also grow into an annual event.

The chamber's "business after hours" events have been booked until June and "we really want to concentrate this year on our business lunches."

Last year subjects included the controversial road toll, with then-transportation minister Vince Steen as guest, and an update on treaty negotiations for the Akaitcho region.

Plans are in the works for the national chamber president to visit the city.

The Yellowknife group wants to enlist help with lobbying the federal government for increased infrastructure money.

Housing, labour shortages

Another colossal project the chamber plans to take on is the city's housing shortage. It has already met with city members,the federal Department of Indian and Northern Affairs, territorial Minister Joe Handley, representatives from the mines and developers.

"It was an opportunity to bring developers in with city administration and get some definitive numbers from the mines, right from the horse's mouth," said McPherson. The intent was to realize what the demand will be in the future.

"We were quite surprised to hear from all three mines the numbers they wanted to bring up here. On a conservative basis we are looking at the need for at least 500 and probably closer to 700 houses in the next three years."

The diamond industry will also be a target for the group with a new focus on cutting, polishing and appraising.

"Cutting and polishing is just a small portion of it. We would also like to see an evaluation centre in Yellowknife, which is a great big step," said McPherson.

Employment through education is the chamber's way of addressing the Northern labour shortage.

The new mandate was set up by an also-new executive. "Our board members are quite a diverse group. We have large companies represented like First Air and Canadian North as well as consultants like MacKay Partners and small business and retailers," said McPherson, explaining that the board wants to create a higher profile.

"It is only a one-year term but by the time I get out I want the chamber to be seen as an effective, organized voice for Yellowknife businesses." McPherson hopes government will consult with the organization before embarking on new initiatives.