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Secret inquisition undemocratic
NWT News/North - Monday, July 27, 2009

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Premier Floyd Roland's extra-marital affair should not be a media concern but cover-up attempts by MLAs are a different matter.

That's why any suggestion the inquiry into the actions of Premier Roland be held in secret should be viewed with deep suspicion.

That the request was made by Kam Lake MLA Dave Ramsay, the loudest among the six MLAs accusing the premier of misconduct, is especially troubling. What is he now trying to hide? Why the about face?

The premier's secret affair with a clerk in the legislative assembly was made public in early December 2008 because MLAs held a closed-door meeting.

They reportedly confronted the premier, asking if his mistress, the clerk who sat in on their confidential committee meetings, had acted as his spy. Roland denied that she had. Most of the MLAs left the meeting saying they had no proof any information had been exchanged improperly.

Ramsay, however, insisted the premier had acted dishonestly, calling for his resignation. "It's not the people," Ramsay said, "It's the positions."

As a result of that meeting and perhaps Ramsay's comments, the story of the premier and his mistress was widely reported in the territorial and national news

What made the affair news is that Ramsay and his colleagues suspected the premier had used his secret relationship with the clerk to make himself and cabinet look good and the ordinary MLAs look bad. The media played no role in that.

MLAs ensured Roland's affair remained in the public eye when they chose to pursue a formal complaint with NWT conflict of interest commissioner Gerald Gerrand.

The evidence convinced Gerrand there was substance to MLAs' suspicions. He gave the file to arbitrator Ted Hughes, who was hired by the government to investigate the accusations further.

This inquiry into the integrity of our premier has already costs thousands of dollars and will cost hundreds of thousands more before it is done. Roland's personal life has been exposed and there is no question his wife and children have suffered as a result.

Yet Ramsay has already referred to the inquiry he was instrumental in initiating as a potential "soap opera." Soap operas are fictional. This is serious public business. Now Ramsay wants the evidence he and the other MLAs have been standing on to remain hidden from the public, which sounds very much like a secret inquisition.

Roland may be innocent. Only six of the MLAs supported the complaint, five did not. Hughes will be making his own judgment based upon the evidence he gathers.

But to maintain "public confidence" which is what the inquiry is all about, the public must also be fully informed of the evidence against Roland. Then they can judge for themselves whether Ramsay and other MLAs were on a costly witch hunt to further their own political careers, or whether our premier had indeed abused his position and to what extent.

There are many examples of how the process should be handled - the Gomery inquiry and former prime Minister Brian Mulroney's transactions with Karlheinz Schreiber, are two recent ones. Embarrassing to those involved? Certainly, but the issues of political corruption being examined far outweigh the feelings of the individuals involved.

While common practice in less developed countries, there are no Canadian examples of a secret inquisition for which Ramsay is calling, nor should such a dangerous precedent be set.

Democracies simply don't function behind closed doors. It's unfortunate Ramsay fails to understand that, especially as he often demands more open government.

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Nunavut needs an economic boost
Nunavut News/North - Monday, July 27, 2009

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When it comes to economic development, Canada's youngest territory lags behind its richer cousins, Yukon and NWT.

Therefore recent speculation that the Conservative government plans to station the headquarters of the new Northern Economic Development Agency in Iqaluit is welcome news.

Business activities here have hurdles to clear that are not unknown in the other territories but are greatly magnified in Nunavut. The high cost of living, shortage of skilled labour, shortage of housing and vast distances are challenges companies must overcome.

By locating the economic development agency in Iqaluit, federal employees will gain an intimate understanding of these challenges, more so than if they were stationed in Yellowknife or Whitehorse.

A Northern-based agency would also be able to more efficiently market the many opportunities for development and investment in the Northern territories.

The $50 million budget the agency has been allotted over five years would be very welcome in the territory. Apart from money spent on the office, the agency would employ an undetermined number of people who would spend money on food, housing and transportation, delivering a small boost to Iqaluit's economy. In addition, each transplanted worker from Ottawa or elsewhere translates into federal transfer payments for Nunavut. As with other government offices, there should also be training opportunities to help Nunavummiut take over these positions.

A stronger economy and an increased tax base would help alleviate many of Nunavut's endemic problems, resulting in more jobs to increased access to transportation, to more housing, to better health services, to name just a few.

The mayor of Yellowknife and the MP for Western Arctic have both claimed that if Iqaluit is selected to be the home of the agency's headquarters, the decision would be based on politics, not logic.

It's true Nunavut's MP is not only a member of the governing party, but also a key cabinet minister.

But it's the youngest territory that needs the most help, as Iqaluit mayor Elisapee Sheutiapik observed. To do the most good, the new Northern Economic Development Agency should be located where it's most needed, and that's Iqaluit.

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What's wrong with Stanton?
Yellowknifer - Friday, July 24, 2009

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Stanton Territorial Hospital has turned into a giant money pit with no detailed answers as to why.

Since 2004, the hospital has been in a downward financial spiral and picking up speed as it hurtles toward terminal velocity.

The facility's revenue has shown healthy growth since 2003. Over a a six-year period, Stanton's revenue has grown from $58.8 million to $108, if the territorial government's $16.5-million government bailout is included.

However, its expenses have also ballooned, nearly doubling from $58.2 million in 2003 to $101.4 million in 2009.

Since 2003, the hospital's administration budget has increased by $3.3 million and the hospital services budget has grown by $36.2 million. That means spending on hospital services has increased by 48 per cent as opposed to 18 per cent more being spent on administration.

The hospital and the GNWT are both asking: is the hospital underfunded or overspending? The answer: no one seems to know.

That is a problem. It is difficult to accept that an organization responsible for nearly $100 million annually doesn't know where the hole in its pocket may be. Someone has to explain why the annual deficit has been growing for several years, exploding to $9.5 million this year, which led to the $16.5-million government bailout. It's not a new situation for Stanton. Back in 2000 the GWNT coughed up $800,000 to help with debt reduction. Back then the now-defunct hospital board predicted it would have the facility's debt under control in five years. A decade later the hospital is worse off.

We understand health care is not cheap and the costs are not easy to manage, especially for Stanton which tries to provide services to not only the people of Yellowknife but the entire territory.

However, answers to the pressing financial questions are necessary if the money woes are going to be solved.

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Preventing a traffic nightmare
Yellowknifer - Friday, July 24, 2009

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The intersection of Range Lake and Old Airport roads will establish itself a major commercial centre of uptown Yellowknife this fall, once the Center Ice Plaza shopping mall and relocated Bank of Montreal open their doors for business.

Fortunately, the city has anticipated that traffic volumes will increase greatly. Preparations for a new entry and exit point to the mall site are in the works, and proposals to add access via Butler Road in the Range Lake North district are being considered. Pedestrian and bicycle traffic have also been taken into account, according to Jeff Humble, the city's director of planning and lands.

The growth of the Range Lake/Old Airport Road centre is in line with the city's Smart Growth Development Plan, Humble told Yellowknifer this week. The plan's goal is to map out a development strategy suited for the assumption that the city's population will more than double to 45,000 residents.

The reworked intersection is a chance for the city to demonstrate that its long-term development plan is effective - if not, some traffic headaches are bound to ensue at that increasingly busy intersection.

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Clean celebration
Editorial Comment
Roxanna Thompson
Deh Cho Drum - Thursday, July 23, 2009

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Mackenzie Days, the annual summer celebration in Fort Providence, will kick off next week.

A number of volunteers put a lot of time and effort into the event and it shows. Mackenzie Days is well organized and always has a great parade and other popular events like the youth and adult canoe races.

The organizers, however, can't control everything. On the left-hand corner of the Mackenzie Days schedule the Deh Cho Drum received there's a box full of text stating the committee isn't responsible for any injury or loss of property that anyone might suffer during the celebration.

The precautionary warning is a good idea for the organizers of any of the Deh Cho's annual celebrations and carnivals but is especially so for Mackenzie Days. Sadly, almost without fail, every year the good-natured fun of Mackenzie Days is marred by reports of excessive use of alcohol.

Some years the alcohol abuse results in property damage and during other years it just means that a higher-than-usual number of people spend some time in the local RCMP detachment. Either way, the excessive drinking overshadows the positive aspects of the festival and sends out the wrong impression about Fort Providence.

The hamlet may have something to learn from an example set by Tuktoyaktuk.

This year Tuktoyaktuk enforced an alcohol ban during their Beluga Days festival from April 14 to 21. The experiment seems to have worked to a degree. During the festival there were only seven alcohol-related incidents compared to 13 the previous year.

Imposing an alcohol ban may seem like an excessive measure but it's one way to proactively combat the reputation Mackenzie Days has gained as a time for excessive drinking.

An alcohol ban, while hard to enforce in a community with easy road access, would send a clear message that alcohol abuse won't be tolerated.

The sad thing is such a message has to be sent out at all. Festivals like Mackenzie Days are all about building communities and fostering community pride and friendships. Most of the events are designed with families in mind and there are usually adult and youth versions.

It should be clear to everyone the festival is a time to enjoy events without turning to artificial stimulants. With all of the events there is plenty to keep everyone busy and entertained. The majority shouldn't have to pay for the actions of the minority.

As Fort Providence prepares for another Mackenzie Days it can only be hoped that alcohol usage will voluntarily be kept to a minimum. Both the organizers and the rest of the residents of Fort Providence deserve to have a blemish-free festival they can be proud of.

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Out-of-control kids need a different approach
Editorial Comment
Andrew Rankin
Inuvik Drum - Thursday, July 23, 2009

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In my conversations around town, people have been saying alcohol abuse among minors is a growing problem.

A story headlined "Kids out of control" in the July 16 edition of Inuvik Drum reported that not only do youths commit most of the break and enters in this town, which have been many of late, but generally they are repeat offenders. The obvious conclusion to be reached is that the perpetrators aren't being punished enough to be deterred from crime.

To some degree there's truth to that argument. But where's the solution?

In my job as Inuvik Drum editor I have met remarkable youths here and I have made an effort to tell their stories. When I speak of young offenders, they are the minority, but they are no less deserving of the community's attention.

Compared to what I had growing up, Inuvik has a lot more recreational activities to keep kids occupied. Through a variety of engaging and stimulating programs, such as video and music production training sessions and a healthy lunch initiative, the Inuvik Youth Centre has proven to be a haven for scores of youth. The Gwich'in Tribal Council and the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation invest in youth programs that focus on building strong leaders who have a strong sense of culture.

Of course there will always be the bad apples, and some youths are dealing with severe emotional issues stemming from a whole host of causes, including problems at home. Although sometimes delinquent youths need and deserve a harsh punishment for their crime, there's probably a better approach.

Maybe part of the solution rests with a more collective, community-minded approach. Maybe some type of a restorative justice program is in order, in which the emphasis is on the people affected, making the young offender see the damage he or she has done. It could be facilitated by an RCMP officer along with a qualified counsellor or clergy member, for example.

Such an approach might also allow the victim(s) and other community members to develop an understanding of why youth commit these crimes.

It seems to me this sort of process is more conducive to healing and rehabilitation than a slap on the wrist or punishing youths and ostracizing them, which in many cases just adds to fuel to the fire. Many communities in Canada use restorative justice programs and they've been shown to be successful in many cases.

I'm not naive enough to think this approach is the magic solution to youth crime.

But the great American poet Carl Sandburg once wrote "Brutes have been gentled where lashes failed." I subscribe to that notion, especially when it comes to kids. It's not easy being one these days and if we can help them along the way to responsible adulthood and prevent even just one from falling through the cracks, then it will be worth the effort.

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Northern plums
Yellowknifer - Wednesday, July 22, 2009

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Should Prime Minister Stephen Harper choose Iqaluit over Yellowknife for his much-touted and Northern-based development agency next month, it could only be viewed as politics over reason.

Last year, Nunavut voters elected a Conservative MP who has become very powerful, Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq. The NWT chose to re-elect the NDP's Dennis Bevington - a candidate far removed from the Conservatives in power.

It's hard to believe Harper could see any other benefit for putting the Northern Economic Development Agency headquarters in Iqaluit except to offer Aglukkaq a tasty plum for winning the Conservatives their only seat in the territories.

Iqaluit has no road access; has no significant federal presence or office space to accommodate it; and is at the extreme east end of the three territories this agency is supposed to represent.

As a whole, Nunavut has the smallest population of the three territories. Taxpayers will surely be dismayed to note that should the Conservatives place staff and rent space for a new federal department in Iqaluit, it will be doing so in the most expensive place to live and work in the entire country, which rang in with a three per cent hike in the consumer price index over the past year.

We shouldn't forget either which territory will be host to Canada's largest construction project to date in the 21st century, the $16 billion Mackenzie Valley Pipeline.

Putting the new agency in Iqaluit would make Minister Aglukkaq the biggest winner. Is that good government?

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Ticket-holders left in the dark
Wednesday, July 22, 2009

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Despite unsatisfactory ticket sales, a lot of people were left disappointed when the Randy Bachman show in Yellowknife was cancelled earlier this month.

There was good reason for calling off the show, but people deserve straight answers on refunds.

Lynn Fowler, manager of the Yellowknife Ravens broomball team - which was going to work the bar and security at the concert as a fundraiser for upcoming tournaments - said when the concert was cancelled, only 362 tickets had been sold for the Multiplex concert.

Sold at $60 each, they were not nearly enough to cover the costs of the concert, so Hay River promoter Garth Mackie, not given much of a choice, cancelled the event.

Though calling off the concert was the ultimate decision, Mackie has done little to provide any details on a refund process. Consequently, hundreds of people are left wondering if and when they will get their money back.

Mackie hasn't issued a press release as promised, which further erodes his credibility.

Many of the inquiries have instead been screened by Fowler, who had nothing to do with ticket sales and who doesn't have an answer about refunds.

Fowler said he thinks Mackie may have had to pay Bachman out of his own pocket, which would make it impossible right now to refund the tickets.

But it would be easier for ticket-holders to be understanding about the cancellation if Mackie would be upfront about the situation.

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Not a big fan of FANS
Editorial Comment
Kassina Ryder
Kivalliq News - Wednesday, July 22, 2009

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The deadline for applying for Financial Assistance for Nunavut Students has passed, and now students are waiting to hear if they have received approval for the program.

But if you aren't a Nunavut Land Claims beneficiary or you didn't attend elementary or high school in Nunavut, be prepared. You will be receiving less than $5,000 a year while you're in school.

Non-beneficiaries who have never attended school in the territory are only eligible for FANS' primary loan during their first year, at a maximum amount of $4,400. This loan is given to students who have lived in Nunavut for three years and it doesn't need to be repaid as long as the student lives in Nunavut for one year following their education.

After that first year is completed, students are then eligible for the secondary loan which must be repaid. The maximum amount for secondary loans is, again, $4,400 for the year.

So basically, if you're not a beneficiary and you never went to school in Nunavut, you're only going to receive $4,400 each year you're in school.

While it's great to not have to pay back the loan from first year, the other loans must be paid back in full. Even in the south, $4,400 is not enough to cover tuition, books, rent, food and other expenses. Also, residents of Nunavut are ineligible to receive student loans from any other province or territory, which means FANS is the only option.

FANS also has a "needs assessed loan" component, which allows you to borrow an additional $165 a week, which helps, but it's still not enough to cover all costs.

Students who attended elementary or high school in Nunavut and beneficiaries get a much better deal. FANS pays to fly those students to and from the city nearest where they will be attending school. They pay for tuition, books, rent, food and other living expenses. They even fly students home for Christmas vacation.

Certainly, beneficiaries are entitled to full FANS benefits, but the question is why shouldn't all students in Nunavut be given the same? If the those benefits are also awarded to people who attended elementary or high school in the territory, why can't they be afforded to all students who plan to work in Nunavut after completing their education?

I can understand the reluctance to pay for a student who is from the south and plans on returning to the south after completing school, but what about people who have lived in Nunavut for years before attending school and plan on returning to the territory to work?

From a personal perspective, I lived in Nunavut for three years before going to Toronto to attend journalism school. I returned to Nunavut every summer to work, and now that I've graduated, I live and work in Nunavut.

I received what I referred to as my "pittance" from FANS each year, which I was fortunate enough to be able to supplement by working at the Children's Group Home in Rankin Inlet during the summers.

Now it's almost time for me to start paying back the money I owe to FANS, and it makes me wonder how many non-beneficiaries can't go to school next year because they can't afford it.

Fans website states that "FANS was established by the Government of Nunavut to ensure that financial need is not a barrier to post-secondary education."

If that's the case, then all Nunavummiut who plan on working in the territory should be eligible.