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Parking stalled
Yellowknifer - Wednesday, Aug 8, 2012
It's commonly accepted that Yellowknife's downtown is on the decline as many businesses have fled to uptown, but why does the shortage of parking remain?

That complaint has continued to persist for years from business owners and residents alike. Yellowknifer has documented, on several occasions, store owners' frustrations that their driving customers have few adequate places to leave their vehicles. That sentiment has been expressed by representatives of Yellowknife Daycare, Sutherland's Drugs, The Book Cellar, Overlander Sports, Northern Images and Shoppers Drug Mart, representing different areas of downtown.

In addition, residents have come forward to complain about the lack of parking near city hall, at one point faulting city vehicles for using public parking spots.

It's clear there's a problem, and the situation could be made worse as the city moves forward with plans to zone downtown areas for more apartments to replace aging and dilapidated buildings. Even now, site preparation is underway for a new government office building on 49 Street.

City bus service, despite some minor alterations in service over the years, continues to cater to only one per cent of the population. It's not the answer. A proposal to create a park-and-ride - whereby motorists park at a central location and then walk or bus the rest of the way to work - and talk of encouraging car pooling gained little traction at a council meeting in February.

Friday marks the cutoff for responses to the downtown parking survey for business owners, available online through the City of Yellowknife. Mayor Gord Van Tighem has acknowledged there is a shortage of on-street parking but has stated there's a surplus of off-street parking. However, those parking stalls are privately owned.

Now is the time to speak up. Every moment put into the downtown parking survey will hopefully lead to fewer moments customers spend circling the block looking for a convenient parking spot.


Yellowknife produces elite athletes
Yellowknifer - Wednesday, Aug 8, 2012

The Olympics is the grandest stage in all of sports, and Yellowknife cyclist Denise Ramsden was there to share the spotlight.

In the road race on July 29, Ramsden came across the finish line ahead of renowned teammate Clara Hughes, a two-time bronze medallist in cycling in past Olympics, as well as a four-time medallist in speed skating. Ramsden wound up in 27th place to Hughes' 32nd as rain fell in London.

Then Ramsden, 21, managed to finish 19th during the women's time trials on Aug. 1. Of all the active competitive female cyclists in the world, she made the top 20. That's truly remarkable. There were no age brackets, no divisions. She was up against the best of the best in the world, including Hughes, who finished fifth.

"It was awesome," was how Ramsden described her first Olympic experience.

While Ramsden is the first Yellowknifer to compete in the Summer Olympics, this city is producing its share of world-class athletes.

Granted, they ultimately will be drawn south to hone their skills to an elite level, but that's true of competitors from smaller centres around the world.

Ramsden trains with a team based in Indiana. Michael Gilday, a multiple medal winner in World Cup speedskating events, has done his training in Calgary and, more recently, Montreal.

Steven Hodges, an 18-year-old centre, was chosen in the third round by the Florida Panthers in June's NHL entry draft.

Hodges had moved on from Yellowknife's minor hockey league to the Victoria Royals of the Western Hockey League, where he had 46 points in 72 games last season.

There are avenues for athletes in Yellowknife to reach great heights in sport. It may come through high-performance programs or a university scholarship, but guaranteed it will only come through plenty of hard work.


Life outside the North
Tim Edwards
Kivalliq News - Wednesday, Aug 8, 2012

When you grow up in a small, isolated community, there's nothing better than getting out of it once and a while.

There is much to be said about remaining in your home community, and those who choose to live at home for life make up the very spirit of a community. But I encourage every youth reading this to try and get on with Canada World Youth, or an organization like it, and have some adventures like those that are featured in this week's edition of Kivalliq News.

If that doesn't appeal to you, although actually doing it might change your mind, then at least go south for school, or to work or just to travel - not only will you see how other people live, but you will pick up knowledge to bring back home with you.

I grew up in Yellowknife, which is small and isolated in its own right, but I'm sure most Kivalliq News readers would laugh and tell me that I know nothing about small, isolated communities, and rightly so. However, I'm no stranger to not having access to technology and luxuries that are at the tip of many southerners' fingers, and I'm no stranger to seeing the same faces every day and living among people set in their ways of doing things.

I've had the opportunity to travel out of country a bit, to Kenya and Uganda, and to live in Vancouver for a year, and my time outside the North was instrumental in helping me shape my world view.

When going to places like Peru and Africa, one of the first things to happen is one realizes their preconception of the place is entirely wrong. There might be poverty, as one may expect, and there might be social problems, but there are also people trying to come up with solutions, and people who have dedicated their lives to such work - and no matter their troubles, most people keep their heads up and find enjoyment in life.

The same could be said for the program Canada World Youth is offering for the first time in Nunavut. Here's an opportunity for southern Canadians in particular to see a part of the country that stays out of national news unless it's hit by tragedy or an expose is written on its troubles, and to see that the territory is so much more than the sum of its issues. It's a friendly, often exciting place with rich tradition and serious potential to contribute in big ways to both the country's culture and economy.

Travelling somewhere new and diving into a new situation is also the best way to get to know oneself. There might be sketchy, even dangerous, situations, but what better way to see what you're capable of? More often than not, you'll surprise yourself.

Canada World Youth is offering an opportunity that's perfect for a young person from the North. Take advantage of it. Not only will you benefit, but you'll be bringing your new perspective and boosted self-confidence back home to a community you can help grow.

- Tim Edwards is the acting editor of Kivalliq News. Editor Darrell Greer will return in September.


NWT on rocky ground
NWT News/North - Monday, Aug 6, 2012

The NWT's economic outlook for the next decade demonstrates the need to diversify the economy and attract investors to the North.

In 2019, a year after the projected closure of Ekati Diamond Mine and when Diavik Diamond Mine will be at the tail end of operations, the NWT's gross domestic product (GDP) will begin to nosedive, according to projections in the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment's latest economic outlook report.

That same report hangs our hopes of economic growth on the launching of Gahcho Kue, Prairie Creek, NICO, Tyhee and Avalon mining projects.

If each of those mines comes on stream on schedule, the GNWT is predicting our GDP will hit a record high of $4.236 billion in 2017. If they fail to enter the production stage, our GDP could plummet to $2.022 billion.

Territorial government figures state oil and mining account for 33 per cent of the NWT's GDP. The public sector finishes a distant second at 12 per cent of GDP.

Ekati, Diavik and Snap Lake, according to their respective websites, employ a combined 1,365 Northerners of the 2,700 employees working on all three sites.

In comparison, if all five of the aforementioned planned mines go forward they would create 1,266 jobs. Not only does that create a deficit in employment, it is very optimistic to assume all of those projects will reach the production stage.

Balancing an economy on non-renewable resources and the volatile commodity market is risky business, especially in a jurisdiction where investor confidence has been shaken by regulatory problems and the high cost of getting products to market.

Proof of that can be seen in the near collapse of the NWT's manufacturing industry. In 2007 it contributed $45.8 million to the economy but was down to $9.3 million last year due to the collapse of the diamond cutting and polishing plants.

Construction, which contributed $380 million to the economy in 2007, fell to $167 million in 2010.

On the bright side, with a few major projects on the horizon, such as the Hay River Health Centre and fire hall, the NWT is seeing a modest rebound in construction. Unfortunately, even at 2007 levels that is only 10 per cent of our GDP.

The question is what has the potential to replace or match the economic output of mining in the NWT? That is a hard question to answer but part of the solution might be more homegrown businesses providing services to Northerners.

Manufacturing wood pellets to support the GNWT's green plan, other forestry products, growing Northern food for Northern markets and enhancing our tourism with improved infrastructure could be part of the answer.

If more of our income can be generated from stable industries the spinoffs could add to our economy in other areas, such as more homes being built, more services and stabilizing or even growing populations in smaller communities.

Our government must get to work on a solid plan to broaden our economy and find solutions that don't leave us constantly praying for the next big mine.


Safe RCMP mean safe community
Nunavut News/North - Monday, Aug 6, 2012

Is drug and alcohol abuse to blame? Is it the transition from being a dry community to allowing alcohol legally into the hamlet? Are there generations of residents who harbour so much anger toward the RCMP that the only answer is to shoot?

There isn't one answer or solution to the serious rash of attacks targeted at RCMP in Kimmirut. But the issues have to come out in the open first, through public talks, before any headway can be made in healing what is so obviously hurt in the hamlet.

Although some individuals go against the grain, having seemingly nowhere else to turn that they act out in rage, it is thankfully not the mindset of the majority of the community.

One brave woman forewarned Kimmirut Mounties that they were in danger on July 28. Ten courageous residents of the hamlet got out of their beds in the early morning hours when they heard the gunshots outside the detachment, and they subdued the individual.

In March, the homes of two RCMP officers in the same community were the targets of shots fired. A resident of the community informed the members of the gunman's location, helping the police and their families move to a safe location.

In 2007, 20-year-old Const. Douglas Scott was shot and killed in Kimmirut. Pingoatuk Kolola was convicted of first-degree murder in that case.

These incidents keep happening.

RCMP can take solace in the fact that the hamlet cares. The community shows it respects the police that serve and protect by coming to their aid.

The police are stationed there and in other communities to keep the peace and ensure safety. If they can't do their job, the community is left to fend for itself, which puts everyone in danger.


New mayor must carry on the conversation
Nunavut News/North - Monday, Aug 6, 2012

Madeleine Redfern, Iqaluit's mayor for the past 20 months, recently announced that she is not running for a second term in the municipal election this October.

It's obvious she'll be missed. Councillors say she led a strong ship, exhibiting pride and passion in the job. The public is also having their say: sending well wishes via the social media sites Redfern has employed as her avenue of direct communication to the city's residents and those beyond Iqaluit's borders. And Redfern, as always, is responding to the individuals.

She has raised the bar when it comes to a transparent, open municipal government. She posted information in real time when citizens of the city were craving immediate news and city updates. She was also accountable, providing responses to queries via Facebook and Twitter.

Whoever takes up the post as next mayor of Iqaluit should follow suit.


Make grieving parents' wish come true
Weekend Yellowknifer - Friday, Aug 3, 2012

News that a well-known vibrant teenager had been medevaced to an Edmonton hospital with a head injury spread through Yellowknife like wildfire last week.

Josh Hardy, 18, had a wide circle of friends from his time as a student and track star at St. Patrick High School, his involvement as the lead singer in the rock band Cherry Valance, his work as a prep cook at Coyote's Bar and Grill, and through his passion for riding a longboard on the streets and trails around the city.

Hardy crashed on the longboard while riding on the McMahon Frame Lake Trail on July 23. The fall caused a severe brain injury and, ultimately, his death.

His fatal accident had a profound impact on many people. In conversations about the tragedy, one theme seems to reoccur. People wonder why, in the days following Hardy's death, they are still seeing skateboarders riding around the city without helmets.

Jackie Hardy, Josh's mother, had the courage through her grief to draw attention to the need for people to learn from Josh's mistake and protect themselves from a head injury.

Ed Hardy, his father, said he had urged his son to wear a helmet.

There was a time when hockey players didn't wear helmets. Now, it's mandatory. There was a time when a majority of cyclists didn't wear helmets. Now, most of them do, voluntarily.

Politicians, including Range Lake MLA Daryl Dolynny, are calling for laws to make helmets mandatory in the wake of Josh's death. Such laws are difficult to enforce, however.

As Josh's mother wishes, something good can come from his death. Josh's friends could set an example and wear helmets while they ride their skateboards and longboards. The practice can build from there until helmets become as commonplace on the heads of skateboarders as they are on the heads of hockey players and cyclists.


Competition and 911 service key for customers
Weekend Yellowknifer - Friday, Aug 3, 2012

The ongoing saga between NorthwesTel and Internet provider SSI Micro got a whole lot more interesting last month with NorthwesTel's announcement that it plans to spend $273 million over five years to upgrade its broadband capabilities.

A long-entrenched former monopoly, NorthwesTel got its knuckles wrapped by the Canadian Radio-television Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) last fall for not providing services on par to southern Canada. However, NorthwesTel boasts that its modernization plan means it will be able to provide smartphone-capable networks to every Northern community. To help pay for these upgrades, NorthwesTel is requesting the CRTC allow it to take $40 million that parent company Bell Canada was supposed to set aside for a "public benefit" with the purchase of broadcast entity Astral Media, and put it toward the modernization plan instead.

SSI Micro and Ice-Iristel - the latter a partnership between two companies that plan to bring landline phone competition to Yellowknife this fall - sense some subterfuge at work. SSI says NorthwesTel's plan will attempt to stifle competition by using subsidies to prop up its upgrades.

Of course, the plan also means NorthwesTel will be honing in on territory already occupied by SSI, which provides satellite-based broadband to Northern communities not patched in by fibre optic cable.

This will require, once again, careful consideration by the CRTC. We're confident the national telecommunications body will make an appropriate and fair decision. For Northerners, there are two matters of concern: one, that meaningful competition continues, and secondly, that at long last every NWT community will have cellphone service. Universal cellphone service will mean Yellowknife MLAs can press forward with demands for 911 emergency phone service, which cabinet denied in 2009 because smaller communities weren't on par.


Summer playground
Editorial Comment
Roxanna Thompson
Deh Cho Drum - Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012

The summer sun that used to seemingly stay up forever is now setting a bit earlier each day. Before we know it we'll be raking leaves and then in a blink of an eye we'll be up to our knees in snow.

When it comes to the seasons it seems that nothing is ever quite good enough. In winter, what many people wish for the most is the sunny days of summer, or at least a vacation somewhere warm.

But in summer, it seems people can't help but wish it was a little cooler.

There's little way to win.

What people can and should do, however, is take the Deh Cho summer in while it lasts. In many ways, summertime is the best season in the region.

With greenery abounding the Deh Cho is undeniably scenic in the summer. Even life-long residents can't be immune to its beauty.

The warm weather also broadens the array of available activities. If you're tired of the same daily routine in your community or your children have run out of ways to amuse themselves, escape to the outdoors. The Deh Cho is a veritable summer playground with many of the attractions just minutes away.

One of the most obvious destinations is the region's waterways. It's hard to beat a meandering boat trip with no specific destination in mind. With a breeze to keep the bugs down and a fishing pole in hand, a boat trip would be many people's idea of a slice of heaven.

If boats aren't for you, however, there's always dry land. The Deh Cho has an abundance of parks where people can camp close to amenities such as running water. Short hiking trails are also close at hand.

If you don't feel like sleeping outside, why not just go for a day trip? Every community has a nearby location where residents like to go for picnic lunches and outings.

Those residents who are more fortunate can head out to their families' cabin or camp and really enjoy life on the land.

Summer in the Deh Cho also brings with it a host of activities to participate in. While many are already past, Mackenzie Days in Fort Providence is gearing up this weekend.

Sometimes it's hard for residents of an area to see just how lucky they are because they are too close to and too used to their environs. Residents of the Deh Cho have it made in the summer time.

Everyone should apply some bugspray and rediscover what the Deh Cho has to offer. Just remember, before you know it winter boots will be replacing sandals and parkas will be replacing T-shirts. Enjoy it while you can.


Cigarette butts are everywhere
Editorial Comment
Danielle Sachs
Inuvik Drum - Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012

Where can you go that has miles and miles of unspoiled wilderness almost untouched by humans?

Where is it that has an ever-changing waterway, with shifting sand bars and swirling currents?

Where do tourists drive over pothole after pothole, risking multiple flats and empty gas tanks just to say they visited?

The answer: the Town of Inuvik.

It's a beautiful place and it truly feels like one of the last great frontiers.

It's full of quirks and surprises, and yes, there are social issues. Sure, some people don't stay that long and there can be a sense of impermanence. But there's something compelling about being on the doorstep of vast wilderness.

So why do we treat it with such disrespect?

Outside doorways, along roads and in parking lots there are piles of cigarette butts.

Sure, you see one or two and who cares? But when drivers start dumping their full car ashtrays right out the window onto the ground, it's time to get angry.

It only takes one butt to start the chain reaction. So far, the only public ashtray seems to be the one outside the Midnight Sun Recreation Complex.

More ashtrays located around town would encourage people to not just toss their cigarettes on the ground.

People need to respect where they live but the needs of residents – and visitors – should also be respected.

If people smoke, and they always will, there needs to be somewhere to put out cigarettes, somewhere that isn't a garden, ball diamond, playground or nature trail.

It shouldn't be hard to find a garbage or ashtray. There are bins in the park.

Would ashtrays solve the problem? No, honestly they wouldn't. But ashtrays would at least make one out of every few people think before carelessly throwing things onto the street.

And hey, even one out of 20 would make a difference.

There's a beautiful tourist centre set up to welcome visitors to Inuvik.

That welcome should continue all the way down the Mackenzie, for residents and tourists alike.

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