Paul Bickford
Northern News Services
Monday, July 30, 2007

ENTERPRISE - No one has officially registered any objection to the Settlement of Enterprise becoming a hamlet.

That has moved the community closer to a change of political status in October.

In April, Michael McLeod, the minister of Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA), posted a notice stating he intended to order the change of status.

The notice included a 90-day period during which objections could be submitted to MACA.

The 90-day period ended July 23 and Eleanor Young, the director of community operations with MACA, said no objections were received.

"Basically, what it means is we'll take information back to the minister and seek his recommendation on establishing a hamlet," Young said.

A final decision from the minister is expected within a week or so.

"I'm pleased that there have been no objections," said Councillor Winnie Cadieux, who was mayor when the idea of hamlet status was first raised over a year ago. "It just shows the community has matured to the point where moving to hamlet st No formal objections filed

with MACA over change atus will be acceptable."

Enterprise would join 10 other communities as hamlets, including Fort Liard, Tuktoyaktuk, Paulatuk, Fort McPherson and Sachs Harbour.

At the same time, the number of settlements would decrease to two - Fort Resolution and Colville Lake.

Elections for a hamlet council in Enterprise would be held in October. As a hamlet, Enterprise would choose a mayor and councillors separately. Currently, a settlement council is elected, and it selects a mayor.

After the elections, Enterprise would switch to a hamlet in late October with the same boundaries it now has as a settlement.

Hamlet status would mean more responsibilities and more GNWT funding for the community of about 90 people, including the power to pass bylaws, own property and borrow money.