Rankin Inlet (June 18/03) - MLAs and Mayors in the Kivalliq are getting a little hot under the collar over discussions about the regional medevac contract.

Currently, the contract for emergency medical travel in the region is held by Winnipeg-based Kivalliq Air, which has been operating in the Kivalliq for over 30 years.

That, however, isn't the problem.

The issue, for some, is who Kivalliq Air is sub-contracting to when they are unable to provide the service.

Marvin Dion, Mayor of Coral Harbour, is flabbergasted over why Kivalliq Air is sub-contracting to Perimeter Air, a Thompson, Manitoba-based air carrier.

"When they are overworked or can't provide the service why are they using a Winnipeg company instead of Skyward," he said.

Skyward Aviation is the other major air carrier in the Kivalliq region.

"Perimeter Air has no Arctic experience, why wouldn't they use a company with Arctic experience," said Dion.

"It seems like the department of health gave Kivalliq Air a blank cheque to use whoever they want except Skyward."

Penny Trigts, vice president of air medical travel with Kivalliq Air, disputes that claim.

She said Kivalliq air has five back-up carriers they sub-contract to.

"Most of the time we use Skyward and that is mainly because they are in town," she said.

Over the last two months Trigts said medevacs have increased by nearly 30 per cent.

In total, there have been 121 medevacs since April 1.

Since April 1, when the medevac contract came into effect, she said they have utilized Skyward's services eight times.

Perimeter Air was used twice and the Manitoba government air ambulance Lifeflight was used once.

Glenn McLean, MLA for Baker Lake, said the contract should have been shared between both air carriers.

Trigts said that would not be a good idea.

"To sustain the skill level and infrastructure requires all of the service," she said.

If cut in half, Trigts said the cost to provide the service would likely increase.

As well, she added, the company would no longer be able to offer the medical training and in-service training courses in the region any more.

"It would be a disservice to the region to reduce the volume," she said.

McLean said it's the same old story.

"I've been through this for the last five years. Them (air carriers) saying 'We want it all or we're leaving,'" said McLean.

Frank Behrendt, president of Skyward Aviation, was in Baker Lake two weeks ago during the sitting of the legislature to talk to ministers and MLAs.

"We have always felt the region is best served by an open competitive marketplace," he said.

"There is enough business to support two carriers."

Behrendt wouldn't comment further on his complaints.

However, a letter addressed to Keith Best, deputy minister of health, from Skyward Aviation dated May 7, 2003 outlines the company's contention.

It states, "There are absolutely no arrangements in place nor has there been any request for Skyward Aviation to provide secondary or backup service."

Bob May, CEO of Kivalliq Air, confirms that statement.

He said they use Skyward because the service is available.

"It's up to them to make up their minds whether it's economical to stay around," said May.

The letter also accuses Kivalliq Air of not meeting its contract obligations under the Nunavut Government's request for proposal.

"The RFP specifically calls for the use of multi-engine aircraft for medevac flights...single engine aircraft are being used for medevacs," the letter reads.

May said they are currently using a single engine PC-12 aircraft for back-up service when one of their two King Airs are unavailable.

He added the PC-12 is being used on an interim basis, with permission from the Nunavut government, until the medevac contract has been signed.

"We have a letter of confirmation, but the contract hasn't been signed yet.

"I need to go to the bank with something final to get the money," May said.