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INUVIK - Leaders in Inuvik are frustrated about the lengthy wait for results from the Joint Review Panel on the proposed Mackenzie Valley gas pipeline.

It was announced earlier this month the JRP's report would be released in December 2009.

Inuvik town council was set to ratify a resolution to recommend the termination of the existing Joint Review Panel. The resolution was in front of council on Wednesday night. - NNSL file photo

Since the announcement, town councillors have made a resolution calling for the removal of Joint Review Panle members. Council was scheduled to ratify it during their regular council meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 9.

"I don't think there is anyone who isn't frustrated at this point," said senior administrative officer Sara Brown.

She said the document was cleared on Monday night's committee of the whole meeting with some adjustments.

"Some amendments were requested by council. Hopefully this will be ratified on Wednesday," she said on Tuesday morning.

Brown said once the document is approved by council, it will be sent to the people who are mentioned in it, as well as the authorizing boards. In a press release put out by the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation on Dec. 8, chief executive officer Nellie Cournoyea also criticized the report's delay.

"The Inuvialuit and the residents of the Beaufort Delta communities have once again been let down by the process that was created to ensure the timely environmental review of the Mackenzie Gas Project," read the release.

"We wonder if the panel members will visit the Delta next winter to explain why industry has shut down their exploration activities and why the residents of the Beaufort Delta communities have no work opportunities to support their families."

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The Town of Inuvik's resolution

* Whereas the Joint Review Panel has delayed the release of the panel report on the Mackenzie Gas Project until December 2009

* Whereas the Joint Review Panel has exhibited gross incompetence and has unnecessarily delayed the MGP

* Whereas the Town of Inuvik has been preparing for this project for years and has borrowed and spent millions of taxpayer dollars on forced growth initiatives.

* Therefore be it resolved that the Town of Inuvik calls on the Inuvialuit Game Council, the Mackenzie Valley Impact Review Board and the Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of the Environment, to repeal the Joint Review Panel agreement and terminate panel members Barry Greenland, Gina Dolphus, Percy Hardisty, Tyson Pertschy, Rowland Harrison, Peter Usher and Chair Robert Hornal.

* Be it further resolved that the necessary steps be taken by the above-named authorities, and the National Energy Board take the necessary steps to ensure the panel report is completed in a timely fashion.