Andrea Markey
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Nov 07/05) - The proposed Mackenzie Valley pipeline needs a leader and a champion, something the NWT Chamber of Commerce said it hasn't yet seen from either the territorial or federal government.

The organization, which represents more than 800 businesses in the NWT, is urging government - particularly the GNWT - to take a more vocal and strong stance on the pipeline, said Don Yamkowy, chair of the chamber's pipeline committee.

"We're not hearing much from the federal government, but we are hearing even less from the territorial government," he said.

Many small business owners are worried because they have money invested in training, hiring and infrastructure.

How long do we wait?

"That's the risk of doing business, but our members are wondering how long do they wait." he said.

"If we aren't going to have a pipeline, we can get on and do something else.

"Our members are looking for leadership. Take a lead, GNWT."

Many businesses in the Beaufort-Delta have a lot of money and equipment invested in getting ready for the proposed pipeline, said Tom Zubko, president of New North Networks.

"Some are going to have a really tough time this winter," he said.

The pipeline's state of limbo is a double-edged sword, he added, as exploration companies have pulled back their activity level in the North this season.

"We were expecting somewhere in the order of $300 million for the region and now it might be $100 million," Zubko said.

"And $60 million of that is offshore with Devon Canada's winter program."

With the lack of certainty surrounding the pipeline, companies can't adequately prepare, he said.

"What will happen is, contracts will go to larger southern companies who can mobilize equipment quickly," he said, noting that the level of government involvement has been disappointing.

"Neither level really engaged the project until Imperial pulled themselves out of the process in April."

The GNWT understands the frustration business people in the North feel about the uncertainty of the pipeline, said Brendan Bell, Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment.

The GNWT itself has not received a lot of information from the federal government about its ongoing fiscal talks with Imperial, he said.

"We are not the authors of our story at this point," he said.

"But we need to be at the table and we have expressed that to the federal government.

"We have had a long-standing frustration over a lack of control over our land and resources."

As for Imperial, talks are continuing with the federal government and aboriginal groups, said company spokesperson Pius Rolheiser.

"They are at a very sensitive stage and are best discussed at the table confidentially," he said.

The company still plans to announce in November whether or not it is ready to move on to the public hearing stage of the process, he said.