INUVIK
Premier Bob McLeod came prepared to talk about devolution and development at an Inuvik Chamber of Commerce meeting, but apparently his audience needed more time to develop some questions.

Inuvik Chamber of Commerce president Bright Lubansa welcomed NWT Premier Bob McLeod at the Mackenzie Hotel May 9 for a speech on development at a breakfast meeting. - Shawn Giilck/NNSL photo

McLeod spoke to a packed room during a breakfast meeting at the Mackenzie Hotel May 9, but no questions came following his presentation.

McLeod, who was attending the NWT Association of Communities annual general meeting, has become a familiar site as a regular visitor to Inuvik over the last year.

He stressed the advantages that devolution and balanced development would offer the NWT now and in the future.

McLeod said he expects the gross domestic product in the NWT to double by 2020. He also joked as to how no "major calamities" had occurred in the month since devolution has taken effect.

"Balanced development is what we want," he said. "We want development, but not at all costs. It's important for us to protect the land and the environment, and we feel we can do both. We could go from one extreme to the other, but we want balanced development."

That's going to require some juggling, McLeod said, especially in areas hungry or desperate for economic stimulation. However, he said he doubted the task would be as difficult as it seemed.

"I don't see that happening," he said. "I don't think people will go for development at any cost."

Afterwards, chamber president Bright Lubansa said he was rather surprised at the lack of questions, considering various members had told him they would have some, but said he was pleased with the meeting nonetheless. It was the first in a series of breakfast and networking meetings the chamber has planned for this year.

Lubansa said the premier's comments illustrated how Inuvik and the Beaufort Delta region remains a high priority for the GNWT.

"Perhaps his speech addressed most of those questions," Lubansa said.

The lack of questions was odd considering the GNWT reduction in the Northern living allowance for government employees by $383 to $13,756 from $14,139 had stirred considerable informal discussion amongst chamber members. Inuvik Mayor Floyd Roland, who also was in attendance, had been sharply critical of the reductions for communities like Inuvik, which has been hit hard by a poor economy and sharply-increased energy costs.

McLeod defended that reduction, saying it wasn't an arbitrary decision by the GNWT. Instead, it was tied into negotiations between the government and the Union of Northern Workers.

"We can't just unilaterally change something that's been negotiated," he said. "It's not something we arbitrarily force on Inuvik. That's the reality of working with the community. It's a priority of ours to reduce the cost of living throughout the Northwest Territories. It's an expensive place to live. Last time I checked, we had spent more than $180 million to subsidize the cost of living here."

Dave Kaufman, one of the people in attendance at the meeting, said afterwards he had some pointed questions for the premier, but had held back to hear what other people had to say.

In particular, he was concerned about the energy prices in Inuvik. As the Ikhil natural gas fields run out, and the town relies on importing fuel for heating building, Kaufman said the only relief he thinks will work is an energy subsidy to residents.

"We heard a lot about this kind of development 10 years ago when natural gas was offered," he added. "Look what that's gotten us."

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