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Power corp shell game Yellowknifer - Wednesday, January 26, 2011
The judge found the accident to be foreseeable and preventable. The hefty penalty was handed down in on Jan. 19 and it prompted the corporation's chief operating officer Brian Willows to that the expense "will not be passed on to our customers." While that promise sounds like a relief, there is a pressing question that remains unanswered: how can he be so sure? The power corp. has filed an insurance claim. If successful, the insurance company would likely get taxes off the hook, other than potentially higher insurance premiums in the future. However, if the insurance claim is rejected, then Willows said a reserve fund for failed equipment will be tapped. That leads us to ask - where will the money come from to replenish the reserve fund? To the corporation's credit, its bonuses to upper and middle management were reduced to $96,400 in 2009, well below the rich $600,000 paid in bonuses in 2006. If there is no other option than to saddle the ratepayer, then bonuses for 2011 should be nil. The utility should also examine its internal reporting procedures very carefully. In the Snare Lake hydro incident, the power corp. blamed the inaction of one of its own engineers. They said the employee was in possession of a critical report from an independent consulting engineering firm in August 2005, close to 10 months earlier. The power corp's engineer failed to forward the reporter to supervisors, leaving the door open for catastrophe. "The person forgot about (the report), did not review it, did not pass it on," said Bill McNaughton, the power corp.'s lawyer. But this engineer had a boss, and his boss has a boss. Why didn't any of those people come looking for the report on a crucial piece of infrastructure? This is unnerving considering what's happening with Bluefish dam. In October 2009, the power corp. threatened court action against an NWT regulatory board if it had to wait for an environmental assessment before replacing the 70-year-old, rapidly deteriorating Bluefish dam. The board deferred, agreeing the dam is in "critical condition." According to the power corp. leakage from the dam's wall had increased 400 per cent from 2007 to 2009 and its collapse was "imminent." Sound alarming? Well, the work has yet to be done. The power corp., while still intent on replacing the dam, now says the situation is manageable due to lower water levels and daily inspections. That work cannot be done soon enough. The last thing ratepayers need is another date in court.
A lasting impression on one man's legacy Darrell Greer Kivalliq News - Wednesday, January 26, 2011 When it comes to the late Jose Kusugak, I am so glad the old adage of you never get a second chance to make a good first impression isn't always necessarily true. I got off on the wrong foot with Jose more than a decade ago, when I was still fairly new to the Kivalliq and didn't really understand the methods he would sometimes employ to get one's attention. He had made a remark about how caucasians tend to train their children rather than simply allowing them to be kids, and I took offense to his words. To say Jose and I had a rather colourful private exchange over the remark would be one heck of an understatement. But, if nothing else, as the past century came to a close, the man had my attention. From that point on, I really started paying attention to everything the man said in public. And, you can believe me when I say that took up a lot of my time because Jose was rarely lost for words. I don't mind admitting my intentions at that time weren't exactly honourable, as I was still upset with Jose and was paying attention to his words more to find something to take him to task on than anything else. But a funny thing happened to me on my way to philosophical retribution. The more I listened, the more I found myself nodding in agreement with what he said. Darn the luck, I was starting to get really impressed with this guy. Still, most of what I knew about the man was being gathered from a distance through the written word and radio airwaves. We all know public personalities as large as Jose can often be quite different when they're away from the spotlight, so maybe my feelings would change again if I ever had the chance to really know him away from the public eye. Most regular readers of Kivalliq News realize I have somewhat of an affinity for a little game called hockey. And it was through hockey I got to know, and understand, a lot more about Jose Kusugak. A number of years ago Jose began being the public address announcer at the Avataq Cup and a few other Kivalliq hockey tournaments, as well as the Rankin senior men's league. As time went by, we began to talk a lot more and Jose would sometimes come into our little ref's room to get warm between games. During one tourney, I was officiating the first of back-to-back games which ended after the second period due to the seven goal mercy rule. My partner was off for the next few games, so I was sitting alone in our little room when Jose came in and sat down with the little kit he carried his music in. During the next 45 minutes, or so, I had the man all to myself and we engaged in the best conversation on the music and social impact of the Beatles that I've ever had. His knowledge and interpretation of the Beatles' music simply blew me away. Those 45 minutes will always be among my fondest memories. Believe it! Hockey was also responsible for the best example of Jose's courage and willingness to call it like it is that I saw in real life, as it happened. He had been the guest announcer at a Kivalliq tournament outside of Rankin, which the home team won. During the awards ceremony - as hometown player after hometown player came up to accept a most-valuable this or that award, while the other teams stood in silence and politely applauded each selection - Jose interrupted the proceedings for a moment to address the fans. In a jam-packed arena filled with adoring hometown fans delirious with victory, Jose told the crowd in all his years of following Nunavut hockey, he had never seen another community give all the awards to their own players. He said he would just like the community, and the tournament organizers, to think about that. The arena fell into stunned silence for a moment and then erupted with applause. I was bursting with pride and admiration at the man's words. That took balls of courage the size of watermelons. The world is less of a place without Jose, but far better for having had him for 60 years. Hopefully, his legacy of dedication to his people and positive change will last a very, very long time. And, just maybe, some of those changes will one day lead to a brotherhood of man, with all the people, sharing all the world. Imagine, eh Jose?
Dog legislation not black and white NWT News/North - Monday, January 24, 2011
Proposed changes to the NWT Dog Act have sparked passionate debate. But the factions aren't divided between those who want to protect animals versus those who want to do them harm. Instead, it has become a case of defining harm. Much of the debate centres around a clause that make exceptions for traditional practices. This clause is anticipating differences of opinion between an animal rights activist and a trapper, hunter or dog musher on the matter of humane treatment. Animal cruelty is a problem in the NWT. In fact, we were voted one of the best places in Canada to be an animal abuser by the Animal Defense Fund -- two years running. But who defines cruelty, especially in remote communities? Obviously, leaving your animals to starve, die of thirst or succumb to the cold is cruel and deserving of punishment. But is leaving your husky outside in -35 C weather with a well-built and insulated doghouse nearby cruel? We'd say no and so would many others. Dogs used for hunting, trapping and in sport mushing operate in extreme conditions where injury is possible. Punishment for such harm should only come in cases where the injuries are caused by negligence. The legislation should refer to guidelines -- written in consultation with mushers and traditional users -- for best practices when using dogs in sport or as work animals. The dog issue becomes even more clouded when discussing euthanasia. Dog culls are not uncommon in small Northern communities. Access to veterinarian services is limited or non-existent, which means dog populations can balloon due to a lack of neutering and spaying programs. Therefore, for public safety reasons, bylaw officers, if there are any, have been forced to shoot dogs. A periodic, territory-wide spay and neutering program would go a long way in reducing problems caused by too many stray animals or unwanted pets. Although the NWT SPCA does offer a rebate or interest free loan program for sterilization, paying back a loan is not financially feasible for some living in the communities and most do not have access to a vet to qualify for the rebate. Lack of veterinarian services also becomes a problem when an animal is sick and tough choices need to be made. No matter how much a dog owner may love or care for a pet, the financial burden of shipping the animal to a veterinarian in Yellowknife or another community can be too much to bear. In such a case, the only avenue for the owner might be to have the dog put down. Great Slave MLA Glen Abernethy has asked that a euthanasia clause be added to the Dog Act to outline humane ways to dispose of an animal. We agree. Such a clause would create an avenue to punish abusers such as the owner who left puppies at the Behchoko dump with their throats slashed. NWT veterinarian Dr. Tom Pisz has said the new act should improve the way we treat animals. We agree with that as well. It's a worthy goal but we must ensure the law both protects animals while at the same time doesn't make criminals out of ordinary people acting as humanely as conditions allow.
$800,000 is not a cure Nunavut News/North - Monday, January 24, 2011 It's good that the federal government is taking some action after a record 100 new cases of tuberculosis were diagnosed in the territory last year. On Jan. 13 Health Minister and Nunavut MP Leona Aglukkaq pledged $800,000 for a campaign providing information to Nunavummiut about prevention, diagnosis and treatment. But $800,000 is just a drop in the bucket of what it will take to eradicate TB from Nunavut. TB loves poverty. It thrives where housing is inadequate or overcrowded. It preys upon those who don't get enough nutritious food to eat. Public health is not just a matter of providing information, diagnosing cases and treatment. It includes fighting the circumstances that lead to poor health such as overcrowding and poor nutrition. There's a reason Nunavut's tuberculosis rate is 62 times higher than the Canadian average. According to last year's Nunavut Housing Survey, over a third of homes in Nunavut are overcrowded and one in five is in need of repair. It would take hundreds of millions of dollars, if not a billion, to provide adequate housing for Nunavummiut currently in need of it. Also, a study published last year on food insecurity among Inuit preschoolers found two thirds of the households surveyed, within the previous 12 months, had run out of food and didn't have enough money to buy more. More than half of households reported not being able to afford to eat healthy food, and reported having fed their children cheaper food to stretch their food budget. It's unknown whether the upcoming changeover of the food mail program to Nutrition North instigated by the federal government will do anything to alleviate this. Overcrowded housing helps tuberculosis and other respiratory infections spread. Lack of good health, including good nutrition, makes people vulnerable to infection. The $800,000 might reduce the number of new cases from record levels, but it certainly won't erase TB as long as poverty prevails.
Seal deal for real Nunavut News/North - Monday, January 24, 2011 The opening of a new market for seal meat is the first good news we've had in a while when it comes to exports of Nunavut's wildlife resources. China has agreed to buy edible seal products exclusively from Canada. This would include smoked and cured meat, terrine and omega 3-rich oil supplements. It's hoped this deal will make up some of the income lost due to the ban on import of seal products passed by the European Union, and lead to additional markets opening up elsewhere in Asia. Now if we can only get the Chinese interested in big game hunting. . .
Teeing off hypocrisy Weekend Yellowknifer - Friday, January 21, 2011
The latest controversy aside, there is nothing wrong with giving the Yellowknife Golf Club a break on property taxes or even a share of core funding grants. Many jurisdictions in Canada allow municipalities to grant tax exemptions to not-for-profit corporations - which the golf club is - that better the community, which the golf club does. Formed in 1948, it's one of Yellownife's oldest and proudest facilities, known the nation over for its midnight tee times and carry-along patches of artificial turf. Yellowknife would be considerably poorer without a golf course so it's reasonable to expect city hall to help it remain viable. In fact, in some U.S. communities the community health versus tax waste debate has carried over to private golf and country clubs where only the richest and most elite citizens can enter their gold-gilded gates. The rationale for tax exemptions there is that if those swanky and very expensive to run establishments - even after charging exorbitant membership fees - were to fall into disrepair, property values around the community would plummet and make for a less attractive place to live. Fortunately, we don't have to take that debate to such extremes here. An adult membership to the Yellowknife Golf Club, while at $459 a year is not cheap, is not out of the range of most Yellowknifers who want to play golf. The trouble for the city began after it decided to pick on poor little Yellowknife Garden Collective and its $2,500 budget. No amount of explanation on the city's part can bury the hypocrisy of giving a tax exemption and $15,000 yearly grant to the golf club while demanding $3,000 in property taxes from the garden collective, which owns no actual buildings. Following the backlash, the city realized the error of its ways. Our citizens can now count on the city to support two healthy pursuits - golf and gardening.
Strong legs for the future Weekend Yellowknifer - Friday, January 21, 2011 Crazy Legs Contemporary Dance company has graced the stages of Yellowknife for six years, bringing dramatic and emotional performances by residents, to residents. Those choreographed moments will soon be drawing to a close, however. The dance company is giving its final set of performances at the Northern Arts and Cultural Centre - the last curtain falling tomorrow. There will be one more appearance at the Snow Castle in March before disbanding. Founded by Darha Phillpot and Karen Wasicuna, the dance company has helped bring a cosmopolitan feeling to our city through music and dance. With a long list of original dance routines and complex and well executed performances, the company has given residents access to high quality and passionate dance that is usually found only in larger cities like Vancouver and Toronto. During its time, Crazy Legs has built on a burgeoning arts scene, giving a strong presence to a sometimes forgotten and extremely difficult art form, all the while providing a place for people to grow as expressive individuals. The dance troupe also served as strong role models for young, aspiring dancers to learn that their dreams of performing on the stage for an audience can be attained, even in smaller cities. Crazy Legs has inspired younger dancers to take to the stage and bring their art to the masses. With that accomplishment, the dance company will live on for years to come.
Setting the record straight Editorial Comment Roxanna Thompson Deh Cho Drum - Thursday, January 20, 2011
With temperatures falling close to -40 I stood bundled in my parka and watched as a group of students from Thomas Simpson School carried a television outside and maneuvered it into a space that had been hollowed out of a large pile of snow. Next came the extension cords that fed the television electricity from the school.
The final touch was student Charles Gargan who contortion himself into the hole with the television and mimicked playing Xbox. If temperatures hadn't caused the television to fail Gargan would have actually played a video game from inside the snow cave. All of this work was part of a media art project to play with the stereotype that people in the North live in igloos. Of course if we live in igloos - and we have an Xbox - we must play them there, too. The project was amusing in itself but it raises the very true point that a lot of stereotypes and misconceptions continue to exist within Canada and farther abroad about the North. More commonly held misconceptions, which I have personally heard in southern Canada, include the idea that all parts of the North remain in complete darkness throughout the winter and that polar bears can be found just about anywhere, even in Fort Simpson. It appears that what is needed is a mass education campaign about the differences between the various regions in the North and the North in general. People, at least in the rest of Canad, a should have a better grasp on what exists above the 60th parallel. The campaign could include television ads sponsored by the territorial government that highlight different aspects of life in the North. The possibility of getting more information about the North in geography and social studies textbooks should also be seriously considered to educate people while they're young. The most important component of the campaign, however, is Northerners. Feel free to spend a bit of time for your own amusement leading on anyone you find who believes polar bears roam the lower portion of the territory but when you're done laughing please put them straight. The same goes for any other misguided idea you may stumble across. Playing Xbox in an igloo is probably feasible but people shouldn't be allowed to go on believing that's what all Northern teenagers do for fun.
It happens Editorial Comment Aaron Beswick Inuvik Drum - Thursday, January 20, 2011
That's the nature of stuff ... it's going to break and make us miserable.
It usually happens at inconvenient times and results in other stuff breaking (which is expensive). On Nov. 15 the utilidor system froze up between Mackenzie Road and Kingminya Road. The town responded with steamers to melt the ice clogging the water lines, but the steamers broke, one after another as temperatures dropped to -24 C. Then the 40-year-old concrete water line split along a 250-foot section. As a result, 11 residences and one church went without running water for between two and 11 days. No doubt a miserable situation, seeing as we've all become accustomed to hot showers, clothes washers and the like. But it was probably also pretty miserable working in -24 C weather trying to fix that water line. So here's to the contractors and town works employees who struggled with frustration piled upon frustration. The town is conducting an internal audit to see if there's any way this miserable situation could have been avoided ... and so they should. But we should keep in mind that a few days without water isn't the end of the world, that stuff breaks (especially in extreme environments) and we only have two recourses - fix our stuff and learn from our mistakes. That's what the town is doing. Good on them. Coming and going Editorial Comment Aaron Beswick Inuvik Drum - Thursday, January 20, 2011 So I'm heading back to Nova Scotia. It's nothing against Inuvik - family commitments call. I was only here for a month and figured I owe you all a "thanks" for the good time. People lead good lives up here and have built a well-organized, compassionate community in an unforgiving land. It warms the heart to see. In my stead will be Kira Curtis - a young woman who loves life and can't wait to learn about your lives. So take care and keep being good to one another. My only regret is not getting to nap on the banks of that mighty river as it rolls to the sea under a summer sun. Corrections Wrong information appeared in Friday's Yellowknifer ("Lawyer removed from Assault case," Jan. 21). Roland Oonak Hiesinger is 38 years old, and the incident allegedly took place at the Gold Range hotel. Yellowknifer apologizes for any confusion or embarrassment caused by the errors.
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