 | Home page |  | Text size |  | E-mail this page |
Friday, April 11, 2014
GNWT allows e-payments
People in the Northwest Territories can now pay their property taxes, student loans, land leases and any other government invoice online as of yesterday.
In a press release, the government stated it's trying to cut red tape.
Anyone with an account with the five major banks (CIBC, RBC, TD, Scotia Bank or BMO) can set the GNWT as a payee online and begin making e-payments.
- Daniel Campbell
Coalition talks threats to healthcare
Alternatives North and the Canadian Health Coalition will be co-sponsoring a public presentation at the Northern United place about the looming threats to universal health care next Wednesday.
Guest speakers Michael McBane and Wendell Potter will talk about the effects of a $36-billion cut in federal health transfers to territorial and provincial governments, and a $16.5 billion cut to health care equalization payments, as a result of the recent expiration of the Canada Health Accord.
- Cody Punter
Miltenberger sends condolences for Flaherty
Finance Minister Michael Miltenberger issued a statement to express his condolences after learning that former federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty died yesterday at the age of 64.
Miltenberger credited his former federal counterpart with supporting the aspirations of the Northwest Territories in attaining devolution
"He was a good man who worked hard for Canada and managed us through some very difficult times," he stated in an e-mail.
- Cody Punter
Call for scholarship applications
The Yellowknife Community Foundation (YCF) has announced a call for scholarship and grant applications for the upcoming 2014-15 school year.
The deadline for applications is May 15. More information can be found on the foundation's website.
- Cody Punter
Thursday, April 10, 2014
RCMP investigate sudden death in Liard
As of April 7, RCMP in Fort Liard were still investigating a sudden death.
On March 28 at approximately 7:50 p.m., RCMP in the hamlet were notified that a 63-year-old Fort Liard man was found dead in the backyard of a residence on Birch Road. The man was last seen earlier in the day and the RCMP were working to determine the circumstances related to his death and its cause.
The investigation was still ongoing on Monday and the RCMP were waiting for the results of the autopsy, said Cpl. Barry Ledoux, a media liaison with G division. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to phone the Fort Liard RCMP or Crime Stoppers.
Closure for one winter road
Time is running out for the winter roads and ice crossings in the Deh Cho.
The Trout Lake winter road was scheduled to close at 10 a.m. on April 9 due to warm temperatures that were affecting the road conditions. The Nahanni Butte winter road is still operating and is being monitored daily, but there are no concerns yet, said Dan Quevillion, the Department of Transportation's regional superintendent, on April 8.
The Liard River and Mackenzie River ice crossings were also still operating normally as of Tuesday.
"The ice is still good," Quevillion said.
With warm weather forecasted this week, the crossings' conditions are expected to change. As the melting and degradation advances, the department plans to give three days notice before the crossings close.
The two crossings both have a 10-year average closure date of April 21.
One more weekend to catch biggest fish
The annual Fort Liard Fishing Derby is at the halfway mark.
The first weekend of the event was held from April 5 to 6. The weather was beautiful and at one point there were 32 people on the ice at Fisherman Lake, said Jana Deneron, the derby's organizer.
As usual, there are categories for heaviest jackfish and pickerel for adult, youth and children. The bar has already been set at 16 pounds for jackfish and 5.7 for pickerel.
The final weekend of the event will be April 12 to 13. The band's cabins at the lake are open during the derby and tea, coffee and hotdogs are available for participants, Deneron said. Plans are also being made to transport elders to the lake by helicopter this weekend.
The ice on the lake is still thick. Augers had to get through 1.2 to 1.5 metres of ice to reach the water.
Olympians to visit
As East Three Secondary School celebrates Snow Week, two NWT athletes should serve as extra inspiration.
Speedskater Michael Gilday from Yellowknife and Nordic skier Jesse Cockney from Tuktoyaktuk will visit the school April 11 to share their stories of competition with the students.
The school has a slate of activities scheduled for that morning, particularly outdoor activities that should get a boost from the athletes.
Teacher wins award
Shane Brewster, a physical education teacher at East Three Elementary School, was awarded the Cliff King Award from the Northwest Territories Teachers' Association (NWTTA) April 5 in Yellowknife.
"Dedication, commitment and service to the association speak to the essence of our Cliff King Award," stated president Gayla Meredith in a news release.
Gene Jenks, president of the Beaufort Delta NWTTA regional executive, said "together, Shane and Cliff helped to give the association a strong voice and a level of advocacy sought by the members. To this day, Shane demonstrates the dedication and commitment befitting a model NWTTA member. The Cliff King Award will always have a special place in the heart of the Beaufort Delta. We cannot think of a better and more fitting member to receive it."
Jets in the air
If you're noticing some increased military air traffic around the region, it's due to a two-week Norad exercise.
"The North American Aerospace Defense Command (Norad) and its geographical component, the Canadian Norad Region, will conduct a major training exercise at various locations in Canada's North during the first two weeks of April," the organization stated. "This operation, which has been planned since last year, will see the deployment of Royal Canadian Air Force aircraft and personnel to Inuvik and Yellowknife, Iqaluit, Nunavut, and Goose Bay, N.L. Residents in those communities may notice increased flight activity due to the deployment activities and flying operations."
Family Day planning underway
Inuvik is preparing to celebrate International Family Day May 15.
"There is a small group of organizers, a sub-group of the child, youth, and family mental health advisory committee, planning a week's worth of events focusing on parenting and with somewhat of an international theme," said committee member Heather Wheating.
The celebration is still in its early stages, with more details to come.
| 
