Yellowknife (Feb 10/06) - Yellowknife Centre MLA Robert Hawkins wants to boost territorial pride by supplying local manufacturers and merchants with tags that say, "Made in the NWT."

Hawkins made the suggestion at the legislative assembly, Wednesday.

"I remember when we sent out carvings, they had little tags saying they were Northern made," said Hawkins.

"I'm talking about stickers that people can put on their products, and people can buy with pride."

Brendan Bell, minister of Industry, Tourism, and Investment, said it's not that easy. "We can't simply issue stickers that people can plunk onto their products.

"We can't have situations where we have products that aren't really manufactured in the North. We have to ensure that we provide certainty to people who are providing these products."

Restaurants can't catch a break

Eateries like McDonald's and Tim Hortons are getting the shaft from the Worker's Compensation Board, according to Range Lake MLA Sandy Lee.

The MLA told the legislative assembly on Wednesday that employer contribution rates for NWT restaurants, pubs and motels have skyrocketed in recent years.

The rate has climbed to $2.93 per $100 in 2005, from $1.30 for each $100 paid in 2003.

"I probably will not be overestimating that if Tim Hortons ever closed, we Yellowknife MLAs would have to put our jobs on the line," said Lee.

Charles Dent, the minister responsible for the WCB, said he would ask their governance council to review the rates.

He said the increase appeared because the WCB were running a surplus prior to 2003, which they cut down by offering employers a discount on their rates. The discount has since been lifted, causing some rates to jump. he said.

"This isn't a situation where the WCB would be pocketing the money," said Dent.

According to the WCB's latest financial statements, the agency took home a $14 million surplus in 2004. They were nearly $9 million in the red the year before.

Freezing rain = caribou pain

What's killing off the Bathurst caribou herd, Great Slave MLA Bill Braden wondered, Monday.

Environment Minister Michael Miltenberger said there are a lot of factors that may be contributing to the decline of Bathurst caribou in recent years, including unseasonable freezing rain.

It's "making it very, very difficult for the animals to feed," said Miltenberger.

Hunting pressure from winter roads, and an excess of predators may also be factors, he said.

The minister plans to make an announcement Feb. 15 to introduce interim measures, that may include reduced bag limits for hunters, and restricted hunting zones along winter roads.