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Invest in people
NWT News/North - Monday, October 21, 2013

As the NWT prepares to receive a windfall of cash through its devolution deal with the federal government, the debate has begun: What should the money be used for?

The wish list is long, ranging from improved health and addictions services to improved infrastructure.

Finance Minister Michael Miltenberger says his strategy is to invest in a heritage fund, putting away five per cent of resource revenues into the fund over the next 20 years. The remaining sum will be used to improve the territory's "infrastructure budget," which includes improving a substandard road system.

While wanting to put more money into programs and services is understandable and not without merit, relying on resource revenue money to fund programs is fiscally uncertain.

However, investing in key pieces of infrastructure does have a two-fold benefit. Not only is it an investment in the NWT's economy but also, indirectly, in the social welfare of its people.

Roads such as the Liard Highway (Highway 7) and Highway 5 to Fort Smith are in need of improvement. Both are important links in terms of tourism, and better roads could translate into more people bringing money to the North.

Aside from the tourism benefits, improved roads also mean bigger trucks hauling into the communities and drivers no longer charging the more expensive off-highway rates when shipping goods. Both mean goods get to the communities cheaper and that reduces the cost of living - a major Northern social issue.

That being said, building transportation links has to be done with an economic driver in mind. The Mackenzie Valley Highway, for instance, could have significant benefits to the territory. However, at a cost of more than $1 billion for construction and then maintenance to think about, it must be an investment that will pay off.

If the Sahtu oil boom is realized, that might be the justification the territory needs. Unfortunately, the savings in cost of living and the increase in tourism dollars would likely not make up for the exorbitant cost of the road.

Prioritizing transportation infrastructure which will give the best return on investment would be the most prudent use of devolution money.


Seniors care must be carefully planned
NWT News/North - Monday, October 21, 2013

There is no doubt that allowing seniors the choice to remain close to family support in their later years of life is important. Being near loved ones and the comfort of community can have positive health benefits.

The key is to create a care system that allows more elderly citizens to remain in communities that is carefully planned.

According to Long-term Care Canada, Canadians older than 65 account for less than 14 per cent of the Canadian population, but consume nearly 44 per cent of all health care dollars spent by provincial and territorial governments. It adds, provincial and territorial governments spent an average of $10,742 per Canadian ages 65 and older, compared to $2,097 on those between age one and 64 in 2008.

In the North, spending is always disproportionally higher and a poorly planned long-term care system would not only increase spending, but put added pressure on families.

Proper elder care would need a hefty investment in facilities, staff and resources. With 33 communities spread across the NWT, is it realistic to provide that level of care to every one, no matter how desirable?

Cutting corners will only result in increased health care costs across the board, including the medevac system, with no real benefit to seniors and families.


Tell people about imposition by government over 25 years
Nunavut News/North - Monday, October 21, 2013

Observers of past world events can go back literally hundreds and thousands of years to gain an understanding of history.

In Nunavut, not so much. That makes the Qikiqtani Inuit Association's release of a two-book history of life in the Baffin region between 1950 and 1975 a landmark event.

This is the first time the imposition of the federal government on the Inuit people has been chronicled by Inuit themselves. The books document testimony from a public inquiry held by the Qikiqtani Truth Commission to determine the facts behind the methodical killing of Inuit sled dogs between 1950 and 1975. Its focus was quickly broadened beyond the issue of the sled dog slaughter to examine the impact of decisions made in Ottawa that resulted in changes to the culture, habits and living conditions of the Inuit in 13 communities.

What is most compelling is those decisions are still being felt today. Tears were flowing down the faces of some of the estimated 100 people in attendance at the Anglican parish hall in Iqaluit for the unveiling of the books on Oct. 9.

Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA) president Okalik Eegeesiak sees the release of the books as a healing journey for the people affected, giving an opportunity for them to forgive and reconcile themselves with the actions taken by forces outside their own control.

It is notable that Nunavut MP Leona Aglukkaq was there to witness the unveiling. Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Minister Bernard Valcourt sent a message congratulating the QIA on its work.

Moving forward, the people of Canada should pay attention to the QIA's recommendations, including placing a priority on presenting the Qikiqtani Truth Commission report to the Government of Canada. The federal government should acknowledge that high levels of suicide, addiction, incarceration and social dysfunction found in the Qikiqtani region are in part symptoms of intergenerational trauma caused by historical wrongdoings.

The QIA also recommends that the Government of Nunavut's Department of Education include historical material from the reports in the curriculum.

We would like to go further and urge that the books be included in educational curriculum across Canada so that students can learn about this important part of our nation's history, as quickly as possible.

What happened between 1950 and 1975 in the Baffin communities has had a real impact on the lives of Inuit today. That is a real history lesson that needs to be shared.


Time for MLAs to stand up and be counted
Weekend Yellowknifer - Friday, October 18, 2013

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms states that there should be "effective and fair representation in every legislative assembly and the House of Commons." In Canada, this means representation by population.

Yellowknife has 47 per cent of the population, but only 37 per cent of the representation.

As longtime Yellowknife resident Bill Aho told Yellowknifer last week, the city is being short-changed yet again. Of three recommendations from the Electoral Boundary Commission's final report, only one allows for an increase in Yk MLAs, and even in that vision the numbers don't satisfy the Charter.

Aho, who was formerly part of a group called Friends of Democracy, helped champion fair representation in the NWT Supreme Court. The group won in 1999 and the city saw its representation increase from five to seven MLAs.

The final report came out last May but as Aho said, "There's been a silence and that's disappointing. It looks like it'll take the motivation of Yellowknife's residents to get MLAs to get out of their seat."

Good luck with that. Voter turnout for territorial elections in Yellowknife hovers between 30 and 36 per cent, with the Great Slave district spiking at 40 per cent. Monfwi electors show up at a rate of 87 per cent, while Inuvik Boot Lake almost outdoes them at 84 per cent.

Shameful? Perhaps, but Yellowknifers may well be apathetic after asking themselves what have Yellowknife MLAs done for Yellowknifers in recent years, when they are not jockeying for and taking cabinet positions?

A bridge? A costly, questionable bridge, benefits unknown, solely paid for by the territory, mostly by Yellowknifers, unlike the more expensive road to Tuktoyaktuk which was paid for by federal and GNWT money.

Our MLAs remained mum as the GNWT passed federal water quality guidelines into law, which will result in a costly, questionable water treatment facility. Setting aside the ludicrous adoption of southern guidelines for Northern water, unlike other communities, which would have new water treatment facilities paid for by the GNWT, the City of Yellowknife will have to foot the bill - $30 million or so.

What about a simple black and white issue like providing 911 service to the capital of the NWT. Can't be done the assembly decided, unless every single NWT community gets it. Did our seven MLAs stand up as one and fight for what's right? No. Some are in cabinet. Some want to be in cabinet. Some have other pet issues they want to talk about.

Perhaps this is a good time for those MLAs who care about Yellowknife to stand up and be counted and speak with one voice: Representation by population is the law of the land. Yellowknife is under-represented by two seats, as documented in the commission's interim report.

The GNWT needs to curb its propensity for fighting every issue with costly court battles and take care of this business once and for all.


Reducing the cost of living
Editorial Comment by Jeanne Gagnon
Deh Cho Drum - Thursday, October 17, 2013

With the high cost of food and housing, many residents likely share the territorial government's vision of more affordable prices for all who live in the North.

The GNWT's Reducing Cost of Living Initiative focuses on four areas – improving shelter, improving transportation access to communities, addressing factors that impact the cost of goods and supporting individuals and families.

One way to achieve that goal is through better infrastructure.

Finishing the chipseal on Highway 1 between Fort Simpson and Enterprise is a step in the right direction, but the government needs to move at a faster pace than sealing 10-kilometres per year.

Nahendeh MLA Kevin Menicoche remarked, during his constituency meeting in Fort Simpson on Oct. 9, the two-and-a-half hours of gravel road trucks must travel to reach the community increases shipping costs as companies are applying off-highway rates. Another resident remarked the gravel means smaller trucks travel on that highway -- truck trains are not an option, so more trips are needed to transport the same amount of goods.

Another simple way of reducing the cost of living is starting the MV Lafferty ferry across the Liard River at 6 a.m. The extra two hours means many people could safely reach larger centres, such as Edmonton, in one day, saving the expense of sleeping somewhere along the way. More people are travelling on the highways, working different shifts than the standard nine to five, so it's important to give options.

Two of these initiatives meet two of the strategies' focus areas – improve transportation to communities and address factors that impact the cost of goods.

Another initiative is the Mackenzie Valley Highway, an 818-km all-weather road from Wrigley to the Dempster Highway south of Inuvik. The highway, in its planning stages, is high on the government's agenda, Menicoche said. It should be as it will reduce shipping costs for those communities and enable people to travel on the roads year-round.

Understandably, some people might be worried about the social ills it might bring. Those concerns are valid, especially for smaller communities.

It would be premature to take a position on whether those concerns should put a stop to the project. That's the role of the Mackenzie Valley Review Board. But if it does go ahead, don't be surprised if the cost of living for the residents along the highway goes down.

Jeanne Gagnon is the acting editor for Deh Cho Drum while Roxanna Thompson is on vacation.


The joys of Mudville
Editorial Comment by Shawn Giilck
Inuvik Drum - Thursday, October 17, 2013

Lately there's been a lot of chatter throughout town about when winter is going to arrive.

You can count me in with the group eagerly awaiting winter. After having a taste of all four seasons in Inuvik now, I have clearly become a creature of the snow and cold.

For the last 17 days, I've been waiting with an almost unwholesome eagerness for things to freeze up and the snow to start accumulating.

I've always been a fan of cold weather, the colder the better. My father likes to tell people how even the coldest weather back in Ontario – which is nothing like here – failed to keep me indoors for long.

Partly, that's just practicality. After all, you can always put more clothes on in the winter to be comfortable. During the hot summer months, once you've stripped down to a bare minimum, well, there's only so far you can go.

My fondness for the cold outdoors is also partially due to the fact that it keeps most other people indoors and away from me. Working in the news field means that I enjoy my solitude when I can get it, and the dark winter months are a perfect way to get it.

This year, it's mostly because of the mud. I don't mean to sound like some sort of neat freak, which I'm not, or prissy, which I also am not, but this autumn's mud bath is driving me so far around the bend, I can't see the end of the bend from here.

The Thanksgiving weekend was a perfect example. My wife and I have a tradition of always spending as much time as we can outside on the long weekend. Usually, we go for our last paddle of the season on Thanksgiving Sunday or Monday. It's a final fling of fine weather that we've enjoyed during the nearly 10 years we've been married.

This year, we don't have our boats handy, so we substituted hiking for paddling. We had in mind walking the trail leading to Three Mile Lake, but soon changed our minds. While the weather was fine, the walking was not. Nor was the driving, as the back roads of Inuvik had the vehicle kicking into traction control mode in places.

There's not a lot of fun in hiking while accumulating five kilograms of Inuvik's sticky, clay-based mud on each boot.

So we settled for a pleasant walk around the Boot Lake Trail, although spots there were far muddier than was appealing.

By the end of the weekend, my wife had announced on Facebook, "I can't believe I'm saying this, but bring on the winter."

I second that motion. If this mud won't dry up, then it can freeze up.

After that, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.


Bridge does cost us more
Yellowknifer - Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Now there is ample evidence the Deh Cho Bridge is behind higher food prices reported by Statistics Canada, it seems prudent the territorial government use it to show the federal government Yellowknife is still an expensive place to live.

Ottawa has long warned a permanent span across the Mackenzie River could spell the end of the northern living allowance it offers federal employees living in the Northern capital. Yellowknifers also fear the Northern Residents Tax Deduction could be decreased or scrapped altogether should the feds discard Yellowknife's isolated post designation.

The GNWT loathes any suggestion the bridge is responsible for the five per cent spike in food costs since its opening last November. A spokesperson with the Department of Transportation suggested transport companies may be using the new bridge tolls on commercial traffic as an excuse to gouge Yellowknife customers.

As well, the GNWT avoids acknowledging the cost of the road bans last spring. Trucks had to cut back on their loads by 25 percent to avoid damaging the highway during the spring melt. This had not been a problem when there was no bridge because there was no traffic while ferry operations were suspended pending break up.

The territorial government would be wise not to dismiss rising costs so vociferously. Ottawa might just agree.

The point should also be made Northerners are paying for the bridge, as opposed to the Canadian taxpayer. Statistics Canada figures prove as much.


Tourism NWT made right call investing in new market
Yellowknifer - Wednesday, October 16, 2013

More people are coming to Yellowknife, and the rest of the NWT for that matter, thanks to a boost in funding to NWT Tourism and a focus on the Chinese market.

It only makes sense to invest in one of the world's largest economies. The $140,000 investment is already paying off.

About 60 visitors from mainland China and another 250 from Hong Kong were recently hosted by Yellowknife Tours Ltd. Those 300-plus visitors were for just one visit. There are no current numbers for how many Chinese tourists come, but it's safe to say this wasn't the only group. If each tourist spends a few hundred dollars while they're here, then that initial investment will be put back into the NWT economy in no time.

Tourism NWT was wise to invest in China, as it can't rely completely on the other major players in the tourism market North of 60 - the rest of Canada and Japan. While both markets have proven lucrative and may continue to do so, diversification is the best way to build a lasting foundation for Aurora viewing tourism .

Now that we can see that investing in other markets pays off, perhaps we'll see Tourism NWT put more money into other markets as well in order to entice visitors.

Whitehorse has a strong tourism connection to Germany, a trail the NWT may do well to follow.

The economies of India and Indonesia are growing in leaps and bounds. Now that we know these region-specific investments work, who's to say it won't pay off again?


A call for help in Hockey Town
Editorial Comment by Darrell Greer
Kivalliq News - Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Cracks are starting to appear in the hockey foundation of Rankin Inlet.

The malaise that seems to have gripped the community in regards to doing anything but attend the games is mind-numbing.

The number of officials, coaches, and minor hockey board members and volunteers has dipped below the level of acceptability anywhere, let alone a community that takes pride in its moniker Hockey Town.

I've appreciated each and every fan who attended a game I was part of, in any manner, during my 50 years of involvement with hockey.

Whether a player, official or coach, the game was always that much more enjoyable to me with people watching from the stands.

That even goes for the handful of fans who would actually heckle me once in a while during the multitude of games I've officiated.

Well, OK, maybe there were more than a handful, and maybe a little more than every once in a while, but the memory grows shorter as the years pass.

But, as much as I've always applauded the hockey fan, I've long felt, as a group, they believe in magical beings.

And fairies are my guess at what type of being.

Fans come to the arena and find two teams and a crew of officials on the ice, and coaches behind the bench trying to pump up their young charges for the big game.

There's someone running the clock, taking care of the game sheet and, most times, playing the music and announcing goals and penalty calls.

Obviously, fairies were hard at work an hour earlier, spreading their magical dust around the arena to make all this happen.

Oh, if only that were the case.

What the fans see on the ice is the result of a small group of people's time, effort and determination in supporting the game and, far more importantly, the kids who play it.

The time commitment is huge and the effort required large, but the rewards that come with it are immense.

If I had $5 for every time during my 15 years in Rankin I attended a meeting, or turned on a radio, to hear someone lament how few positive activities we have for our youth, I'd be quite comfortable financially.

Well, there are few activities that keep more kids out of trouble, provide a sense of belonging, and contribute to their positive character development than team sports.

Even if you're not a sports person, to deny its benefits to youth is nothing less than foolhardiness.

I know how much Rankin loves its hockey. I've seen it, heard it and fell in love with it.

To think this community, of all places, would sit idly by and allow the game to slip below the standards it has always set and maintained for hockey is inconceivable to me.

I know no matter how long I live in Rankin, there will always be some folks who don't see me as "being from here."

But, this is definitely Nunavut's Hockey Town.

It's part of who we are and part of what makes our community so utterly awesome.

The game needs help, and I refuse to believe the people of this community will not answer the call -- if not for the game and our love for it, then surely for our kids who love so much to play it!

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