Niven Lake resident Adrian Boyd has a new job in town -- he's a lightning rod. The bolt of inspiration that's hit him -- and in fact radiated out across the city -- is to create the Yellowknife Citizens for Responsible Development watchdog group.
It's about time Yellowknifers pulled together to form such a body, not that anyone should think they'll unearth scandal on an almost daily basis. No, the real value of the group will be to provide balance in the ears of council; an alternate voice against those of administration and developers.
This will be a voice that ensures the views of Mr., Mrs. and Ms. Everyday reach the city's inner sanctum when decisions on Yellowknife's future are considered.
And who better to lead such a group?
As a former city planner who is currently the senior advisor to the Nunavut Planning Commission and the federal representative to the Deh Cho land use planning committee, Boyd has the resume to not only do the job -- but do it well.
Development can't just be about dollars and cents -- it has to make sense for the community, too.
Congratulations have to go out to the people who organized, and volunteered at, Folk on the Rocks.
The annual celebration of music has consistently been an event Yellowknifers and people from all over look forward to attending.
It's tempting to think they must have some secret formula they pull from a safe somewhere that they have used to brew up a success for the past 24 years. Other events have not been so fortunate. People can get tired. Ideas can get tired.
So here's our idea: once the festival season is over, senior organizers of all Yellowknife's events should meet to discuss what works for them -- and what didn't work.
The exchange of ideas will surely make all our celebrations successful every year.
Additional notes: We'd also like to applaud liquor licensing enforcement manager Delilah St. Arneault, Mike Lowing of the city fire department and the on-site liquor inspector who worked over the Folk on the Rocks weekend to solve a beer garden capacity error.
See? Bureaucrats are people, too.
Editorial Comment
Darrell Greer
Kivalliq News
Nunavut's unionized employees, especially those whose paycheques come from the territorial government or who are considering raising concerns to their employer, may want to pay attention to an "expedited" arbitration hearing taking place today, July 21, via conference call.
The call will have a representative from the GN, a union rep from the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) representing the grievance filer against the GN, Norman Prince, and an arbitrator.
Prince was a social worker in Coral Harbour from 1997-99, before moving on to become the supervisor of social programs in Gjoa Haven.
This sad saga began when Prince voiced concerns to his superiors that Inuit were being deprived of services entitled to them by law, namely the right to visit family members living in nursing homes, sheltered settings or other health-care facilities in the south twice a year.
Shortly after Prince's complaints, the executive director of health and social services and the acting manager of social programs arrived in Gjoa Haven to inform Prince a complaint had been lodged against him and he was being suspended, without pay, for 14 days.
The complaint, apparently, revolved around misuse of his computer.
The GN's investigation proved no wrongdoing and Prince was told to return to work.
The source or nature of the complaint was never revealed to Prince, who resigned his position in Gjoa Haven on Aug. 30, 2002, more than six months after filing a grievance of personal harassment through the Nunavut Employees Union.
No excuse for delay
The fact Prince's grievance has still not been addressed two-and-a-half-years later should be cause for shame and embarrassment on the union side of the ledger.
However, the way in which Prince was handled by the government is symptomatic of a much bigger problem in Canada.
The death of the long ballyhooed whistleblower bill before the federal election leaves those who would speak up against injustice, bad decision making or wrongdoing by their employers in a vulnerable position.
This is especially true when unions lack the resolve or wherewithal to have grievances addressed in a timely, fair and thorough manner.
Actions need substantiation
Only Sharon Ehaloak, David Allen, Keith Best and, perhaps, former Health Minister Ed Picco know if Prince's suspension was in retaliation to his complaints of Inuit travel requests being denied.
However, as long as those who sign the paycheques in this country are allowed to initiate actions without explanation or substantiation -- be that government or private enterprise -- those who would stand up for what's right will continue to do so at their own peril.
If we may borrow a line: You have the right to free speech, unless you're dumb enough to actually try it.
Editorial Comment
Jason Unrau
Inuvik Drum
The recent news of our Twin Lakes MLA's questionable statutory declaration of residence to the Legislative Assembly, as well as his noticeable absence from Inuvik, is all the more reason for the territorial government and voters to demand a higher standard from their elected officials.
While voters can scream and shout from the rooftops for accountability, it is the elected MLAs who should be demanding a higher standard from their colleagues. It is their duty to legislate compliance, if necessary.
When a person is caught cheating on his or her taxes, there are consequences, and so should there be for MLAs who make bogus claims to the GNWT in order to pad their wallets.
Sadly, the instances of politicians gorging themselves at the trough has become such an everyday occurrence that when it does happen, people generally shrug their shoulders while the government makes a press release.
After it was reported that Twin Lakes MLA Roger Allen keeps a home in Grimshaw, Alta., it was a surprise to many to learn that MLAs are not even required to live in the Northwest Territories when serving out their terms.
As Allen is entitled to own property anywhere he pleases, it is difficult to understand how he can stay in touch with the issues affecting his Inuvik riding from Alberta.
Allen's behaviour sets a dangerous precedent and NWT residents should be demanding the GNWT to introduce legislation that would require its MLAs to reside in the NWT. Premier Ralph Klein doesn't govern Alberta from Moose Jaw, Sask.
One would think that with all of the issues affecting Inuvik and the region on the cusp of absorbing large-scale development, Allen would be a more visible figure in town.
Instead, his constituents are resorting to approaching town hall and the Boot Lake MLA's office with their concerns. Twin Lakes constituents deserve better.
And now for something different...
After the big-business Petroleum Show blowout and the recent Premiers Conference, it was a nice change of pace to see the recreation complex filled with artworks and artists immersed in their respective crafts.
While it's true that politics and business help to make the world go round -- and the region wealthier when those elements converge on Inuvik -- art is something all people can appreciate and take part in.
The array of artists assembled for the festival and the great line-up of events have made for an impressive festival.
When asked, most of the artists will say that it is seeing old friends, making new ones and sharing their talent with visitors and other artists alike that makes events such as the GNAF a pleasure to be involved with. And it's always easier to let one's hair down in a roomful of artists than in a roomful of politicians!
Editorial Comment
Derek Neary
Deh Cho Drum
Can Canadian Zinc Corporation get in the Dehcho First Nations' good graces?
For a company that is into exploring declines, Canadian Zinc is facing an uphill battle in this region. The mining proponents have taken a new tack, however, by opening an office in Fort Simpson and granting three scholarships to students in Fort Simpson, Fort Liard and Nahanni Butte.
Although the company is still headquartered in Vancouver, it has a local presence at long last. So what took them so long? John Kearney, Canadian Zinc's chairperson, said if his company had received its underground exploration permit soon after applying two-and-a-half years ago, it would have opened the Fort Simpson office sooner.
The scholarships, he conceded, should have been offered long ago. It's a goodwill gesture from a company that hopes to win local hearts and minds.
Kearney, it should be noted, only took over as chair of the board in June, 2003. He was, however, a director with Canadian Zinc for two years prior to that.
The upside to Prairie Creek is long-term employment and contract opportunities for Deh Cho businesses ready and willing to supply the site and provide transportation to and from the mine.
The disadvantage is potential environmental liabilities, as exist with any mine. Chemical and petroleum spills are the biggest fear -- one that may be limited by more stringent regulatory measures, but can never be completely eradicated.
Visiting Prairie Creek can make a difference, as Chief Keyna Norwegian affirmed. There are indeed many horror stories about the mine site. As with any rumours, some are legitimate, others don't hold water.
Ensuring Prairie Creek will ultimately be cleaned up by Canadian Zinc when the resource is exhausted should be another priority. Forcing the company to post a large bond seems reasonable in light of the circumstances at CanTung, Giant and Colomac mines.
But that may be an academic argument. Will the mine ever reach the start-up stage? Outside of Fort Liard, industry has made little headway in the Deh Cho. Over the past few years, seismic companies Arcis and Western-Geco were essentially sent packing by Dehcho First Nations, an aspiring Dene public government that covets control of land and resource development and, ostensibly, already wields great influence. Mineral exploration attempts by individuals have been met with equal wrath.
On the other hand, the Prairie Creek mine is more established and won't be so easily pushed out the door.
Canadian Zinc Corporation has taken a few positive steps, but how long until its corporate legs are severed? If there is an air of pessimism about its prospects, it's primarily because precedents in the Deh Cho don't make things look very promising for the company.