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The problem with public transit in Yellowknife is that the city doesn't have the critical mass to make it worthwhile for a majority of commuters.

Without critical mass it can't offer convenience. Without convenience it can't attract ridership. That is the most unacknowledged dilemma facing the city. Still, city council piles more and more cash into a bigger and increasingly expensive transit system utilized by only one per cent of daily work commuters, according to the city's 2010 Smart Growth Development Plan.

About 50 people attended a pair of public transit meetings last week or met with members of the Ecology North's transportation issues committee, which proves at least some people use the bus and care about it. But it's with the vast majority of commuters, who never or rarely use the bus, the city needs to engage.

When the choice is between waiting in the cold for several minutes, followed by a half-hour bus ride and then doing it all over again at the end of the day, or, hopping out one's door and into a heated car for the seven-minute commute for shopping or to work, it's easy to see why Yellowknife's transit system is such a loser.

Public transit is more attractive in larger cities where the commutes are longer, gas bills are bigger, and there are fewer places to park. Typically, with more people riding the buses, there are also more transit options. Our bus system has two weekday routes and doesn't run much past 7 p.m., severely limiting its effectiveness as a transportation alternative, including in the fight against drunk-driving.

Instead of exploring the possibility of using smaller buses during off-peak hours, the city is testing low-floor buses with 42 seats that can barely navigate through Old Town. These buses are easier to access for the elderly and parents with strollers but they really don't seem appropriate for a city our size and with our Northern climate. Which brings us back to the original problem: how many seniors and parents with young children are going to stand outside in the cold waiting for a bus that comes only every half-hour? GPS trackers people could access with smartphones and other electronic devices would help but the city has a long way to go before it convinces Yellowknifers the public transit system is reliable and convenient.

The previous city council approved a $1.25-million-a-year contract over five years with service provider First Canada less than two months before the municipal election last fall. The current council is therefore struck with this arrangement. However, that doesn't mean council should not be considering ways to make public transit more effective and efficient.

No doubt buses are important to some commuters, and the city should be seeking ways to lower vehicle traffic. Cycling, for instance, may be an attractive and easier to encourage alternative - at least during the summer months. But cyclists also only polled at one per cent of work commuter traffic in the Smart Growth Plan.

What the city must stop doing is wasting money trying to draw people in with these large, lumbering buses few people want to use. No amount of environmentalist arm-twisting is going to fill them.

Almost everyone has done something in their life that they wish they hadn't.

These misguided episodes can happen at any point during our lives and often result in some embarrassing moments and good-natured ribbing by friends and family members. In more extreme cases, there can be repercussions at work.

Thankfully, however, memories fade in time and often the fallout from the incident isn't too large. The situations often become things we can look back and laugh about.

The scenario is completely different, however, for people in public positions. As a result of their position they are under greater public scrutiny and are held to higher standards. That doesn't mean, however, that they are immune to the problems, frailties and misjudgments that rest of us have or make.

Nahendeh MLA Kevin Menicoche is a recent example of this.

Undoubtedly Menicoche wishes that he hadn't consumed too much alcohol in Inuvik and as a result, missed chairing meetings for two days. If that was all he'd done, the story would likely continue to hound him throughout his public career and last far longer than it would with a regular member of the public.

This story is more serious, however, than just a misguided tale of someone who drank more than they should have and missed work.

Menicoche has admitted that he's struggling with alcohol abuse. Having made the decision to drink alcohol, Menicoche recognizes that his drinking has evolved to a point where he ends up drinking excessively without planning to, Inuvik being an example.

It's a courageous move for Menicoche to admit this publicly. Many people in the Deh Cho struggle with alcoholism or alcohol abuse. Many never reach the point where they can admit that their drinking is a problem, let alone go public with that fact.

Menicoche may wish he'd made a better choice in Inuvik, but there may still be a positive outcome in the end.

Menicoche's example shows that anyone can struggle with alcohol.

Hopefully as it unfolds, Menicoche's example will also show that people can seek treatment and then continue to do their jobs and hold positions that require respect and trust.

Menicoche's struggles, now made public, may allow him to become a positive example. Only time will tell.

I had some interesting reactions to the April 18 editorial, where I spoke in length about people, especially public servants, being muzzled by their employers.

One person who wrote in largely agreed with my take on the issue, but reminded me, quite correctly, that many people are afraid of the media.

A second person who wrote in made a related point. This man spent some time describing how journalists are responsible for the problem because they persistently misquote people or "take statements out of context" just to ratchet up sensationalism in the news. While I absolutely appreciate the writer taking the time to outline his points, I disagree with his argument.

In my experience, which stretches back 20 years or so, instances of reporters deliberately engaging in pumping up a story in this manner don't happen. It's not ethical, and honestly, most reporters don't like having people angry with them.

As for the "out of context" argument, my experience suggests that's a term generally invoked out of two scenarios. The first is that the person, whether puffed up because they're talking to the media or out of nervousness, blurts out the truth but phrases it in an unflattering light. Perhaps they didn't mean to say what they said in the way that they said it. In these circumstances, I've seen the reporter blamed for quoting these words far more often than the speaker taking responsibility for what they said.

The second scenario is that whoever is speaking may simply not know what they're talking about. In some cases, that will be obvious to the reporter. In others, it might not be.

Despite all the fact-checking and talking to multiple sources and editing and what-not, a reporter is still totally dependent on what they're being told by whoever they're talking to. That's the way the job works. Therefore, there's a heavy onus on the person being interviewed to be capable of articulating their knowledge and opinion in a sensible and sensitive manner.

People, especially in the public service, need to be trained in how to deal with the media, and by extension the public, instead of muzzled.

People should not be afraid of speaking with reporters, but it is important that they take a second and think about what they are about to say on the record before they comment.

Of course, we journalists are only human ourselves, and humans with hard deadlines at that. Though we strive not to make mistakes, mistakes happen.

Journalists want to get it right and we need your help to do so.

City councillor and pro-marijuana legalization advocate Dan Wong didn't celebrate his birthday at Somba K'e Park with other Yellowknifers who showed up to rally against laws which prohibit the use of cannabis.

But his statements before the rally were enough to make clear his position on the topic. "I stand on the side that says marijuana needs to be legalized immediately, and not just decriminalized," Wong told Yellowknifer last week.

He does not stand alone. Western Arctic MP Dennis Bevington also believes that legalization is preferable to decriminalization, suggesting that the federal New Democrats support that view and that legalization and regulation would cut into the huge profits currently made by the illegal drug trade. Legalization would give government the ability to tax marijuana, in much the same manner as other so-called sin taxes, which increase the cost of alcohol and tobacco to consumers by a wider margin than it costs the manufacturer to produce.

The laws have already been relaxed somewhat and, more importantly, police forces across the country, including the RCMP in Yellowknife on Saturday, used their discretion when deciding to lay charges against those found in possession of marijuana.

We don't advocate people use marijuana indiscriminately. In fact, it is a harmful substance, especially to young people. That said, alcohol is a potentially more dangerous drug to a person's health, particularly when it is used in excess, as is common in the NWT. And, of course, both alcohol and tobacco, which is also harmful to peoples' health, are legal products which are essentially supplied by government.

Legalizing marijuana will require a broad plan involving legislation and answering questions regarding distribution.

Wong, Bevington and the people at Yellowknife's rally on Saturday have added to the debate by making their views known.

With all the money being spent on promoting the NWT as a premier fishing location it's a pity that it's becoming harder to find a sport fishing licence in this city.

The Yellowknife Direct Co-op was the latest retailer to throw in the towel, which stopped selling licences ahead of the April 1 renewal period. The co-op didn't say why it stopped selling them. Presumably, it's for the same reason other retailers, such as Gastown and Circle K, have given up.

"There's no money in it, and I'm not doing the government's work for nothing," said Gastown owner Roy Ferrier after he stopped selling fishing licences in 2009.

Qui Pham, owner of downtown Reddi-Mart - the only retailer in Yellowknifer which still sells the licences other than two hard-to-find GNWT offices not open on weekends and the Northern Frontier Visitor's Centre, which doesn't open on weekends until noon - has a similar story although she puts up with the inconvenience and poor return on licence sales because she believes they bring people in to her store. Pham says she only makes $1 per licence - even on a $40 full-year licence for non-Canadians. NWT residents pay $10.

Locals will likely endure the inconvenience, but a visitor looking to do a few hours fishing on the weekend will not be impressed if they can't find a licence easily. And that will certainly be the case if Reddi-Mart decides it's had enough.

Bluefish Services owner Greg Robertson suggests one-day fishing licences to accommodate the conference attendee crowd hoping to kill a few hours with a fishing trip should be part of the offering. That is a good idea. Right now, the choice is between a three-day and full-year licence. Some 4,700 visitors fished in the NWT last year, but the number of people coming North for week-long fishing trips is going down. Many visitors are probably happy fishing a day or two while up North for business or taking part in other tourism-related activities.

It wouldn't hurt either to up the price tag by a few dollars and split the difference with retailers. The GNWT only sold 4,335 licences last year so it's not like they are a major money maker.

NWT fishing licences are some of the most affordable found anywhere in the world. But without online availability and a dwindling availability of retailers, the message the GNWT is broadcasting to anglers is that while we got some great fishing photos to show off, we're not really open for business.

Despite the woeful state the once proud big red machine is currently in, the Liberal Party of Canada could soon be on its way back to prominence on the political landscape.

Make no mistake about it, there is an aura surrounding the Liberal's new party leader, Justin Trudeau.

Trudeau takes his position while riding an almost unprecedented wave of attention.

And, for those who stubbornly stick to their contention that he is not his father, and his bloodlines won't help him in the least when it comes to his performance, think again.

Justin's dad, Pierre Elliott Trudeau, was the last truly charismatic prime minister to lead this nation.

Decades after the fact, the mention of his name among those old enough to remember the Trudeau years still conjures up images of a confident, proud, classy, and effective prime minister.

Known worldwide as a suave ladies man, Trudeau's legacy on that front even managed to grow to mythical proportions though his wife's (Margaret) association with the bad boys of rock and roll, the Rolling Stones.

A chain of events that would have crushed the reputation (not to mention ego) of lesser men, served only to make Trudeau cool among the working class and youth of the nation at the time.

If the mythical Capt. James T. Kirk had ever become Canadian prime minister, he would have shared quite a bit in common with Pierre Elliott.

His son Justin swept to the Liberal leadership in one ballot, winning the most points in all but five of the 308 ridings, even managing to gain support from both the Montreal Gazette and the Toronto Star.

No easy task.

While Liberals voted, the rest of the country watched.

The Trudeau name attracts the attention of everyone from the informed to the nostalgic and the curious.

Justin has made it clear he wants nothing to do with collaborating with the New Democratic Party - partially due to leader Tom Mulcair's stance against the Keystone XL pipeline - and has given his father credit for forming his values and ideals, while making it clear the party will not be run by the ghost of his father.

He convinced many a doubter when he described his style as someone who stumbles through things, sometimes leading with his chin, but always leading with his heart.

He advocates respect for those who would break from Confederation.

Respect, that is, while defeating them at every turn, and doing everything in his power to ensure they never realize their goal.

He has no fear of foreign investment in our country, and is as far removed from the spoiled little rich kid some try to portray him as, that anyone could want to be.

True, he has his work cut out for him, but he believes in his own ability and that of his party.

And, far more importantly, he has the ability to convince others to buy into what he's selling.

There are many who think raising the Liberal party back to the top of Canadian politics amounts to nothing more than mission impossible for Justin Trudeau.

He can be excused for borrowing a line from his father, during one of Pierre Elliott's darkest times as prime minister, to rebuke the naysayers.

"Just watch me."

In the late 1980s aboriginal-owned businesses in the NWT were few and far between.

According to the Northern Aboriginal Business Association, there were only 20 aboriginal businesses territory-wide. By 2006, that number had skyrocketed to more than 500, some of these, such as Nunasi and the Deton Cho Corporation are multi-million dollar operations.

Add four major regional corporations and the fact that all 27 NWT First Nations have economic development corporations and the result is aboriginal business is big business.

A testament to that fact is the recent announcement by the First Nations Bank of Canada to open a branch in Yellowknife. It is also considering another location in the Gwich'in Territory.

Keith Martell, CEO and chairman of the First Nations Bank of Canada, said locations for new branches are determined based on a region's "economic promise and significant aboriginal influence." That statement is an endorsement of the success of aboriginal businesses in the NWT and an invitation for more First Nations, Metis and Inuit to add to the success of their peers.

The bank will also provide financial opportunities for aboriginal people in the NWT to acquire business loans and will prove as another source of investment into the aboriginal economy.

Aboriginal corporations, businesses and entrepreneurs have become a driving force in the Northern economy, providing employment and investment opportunities for our communities. Sahtu oil and gas, future mining projects, the push to boost tourism and the Inuvik-to-Tuktoyaktuk highway will open up many possible business opportunities across the territory.

The addition of the First Nations Bank of Canada to the NWT's banking community will only help aboriginal people capitalize on those opportunities to the betterment of the territory as a whole.

When RCMP seized almost 100 bottles of vodka destined for Tulita it once again raised questions about how the lifting of liquor restrictions in Norman Wells affects the region as a whole. RCMP reported seizing another 83 375-millilitre bottles destined for the community on Friday.

With the only liquor store in the Sahtu, Norman Wells is a booze-friendly community surrounded by restricted and dry hamlets. The combination has the potential to transform Norman Wells into a supplier for bootleggers, such as those caught trying to smuggle booze into Tulita.

Six months after alcohol restrictions were lifted in Norman Wells sales in the community increased by nine per cent overall. The sale of spirits jumped by 46 per cent. Leaders representing surrounding communities also said they were witnessing more alcohol use in their communities and more young people drinking.

The people of Norman Wells decided by plebiscite to lift the restrictions in their community which it had every right to do. In a similar vein, the liquor store cannot be faulted for doing business and it is impossible to say if booze en route to Tulita was bought all at once or over time.

The territory is responsible for the sale of booze and it is reaps the greatest financial gain. MLA Norman Yakeleya said the GNWT makes approximately $24 million a year on alcohol sales.

Although personal responsibility is a major factor in alcohol abuse, the GNWT is well aware of the cost and social affects of alcohol and it has a responsibility to help curb the addictions in the territory with effective treatment and awareness.

Three Baffin Island teachers have been charged with sexual interference in the last month and in at least one of these cases parents have been left in the dark.

Earlier this month, parent Mantra Ford-Perkins told Nunavut News/North she had received no notification from the Iqaluit District Education Authority about sexual interference charges laid against a teacher at the school her child attends ("In the dark after teacher charged," April 15).

She said she and other parents felt out of the loop and she had to confirm rumours herself.

This is a troubling gap in policy. A standardized remedy should be put in place by the Government of Nunavut, which employs educators in the territory. Parents shouldn't be worried unduly about the safety of their children in the care of the education system

Schools are walking on eggshells releasing information partially because of the GN's employee confidentiality policy.

Qikiqtani School Operations superintendent Paul Mooney told media he cannot identify the school or teacher charged to protect employees. He said parents can contact their school themselves for more information. Private communications with parents should be more proactive.

Parents of students who regularly interact with the teacher should be contacted directly and immediately when situations like this arise, at least to inform them a teacher their children have interacted with has been charged with sexual interference.

The GN should seek legal advice on how much information it can release to parents - with the mindset to release as much as possible - immediately.

Iqaluit DEA spokesperson Sabrina Sherman told Nunavut News/North she is working on a new communications policy. Hopefully disclosure between the school and parents is at the forefront of such a document. Such a policy should be standardized and put in practice by the GN across the territory,

These situations require us all to walk a fine line. Media and the public must be careful not to convict those charged before a court decides whether they are guilty.

On the other hand, the guilty should be named publicly and the courts must weigh this carefully when applying the limits of a publication ban.

The name of a teacher would identify the school and grade range of a victim, but not the identity. Nor does the name always identify the year, class or context in which the alleged activities took place. But publicizing the name could well bring forward other victims.

The flow of information in these cases can hurt or assist the administration of justice.

The GN and education authorities must keep this in mind, just they must keep the peace-of-mind and trust of parents the focus of its policies.

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