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Telecommunications giant Bell Mobility must be hoping the third time is the charm after striking out yet again in its attempt to prove there is nothing wrong in charging for a service while providing none.

On Jan. 7, the NWT Court of Appeal upheld a 2013 NWT Supreme Court victory for James Anderson and son Samuel Anderson and their $6-million class action lawsuit that sought to reimburse customers for a 75-cent 9-1-1 fee charged to monthly phone bills even though the emergency phone service doesn't exist in the Northwest Territories.

Bell told Yellowknifer last week it was still reviewing the latest decision but if the wealth of metaphors in the appeal ruling were any hint - i.e., 9-1-1 fee was like showing a starving person a photograph of a turkey dinner and then "charging him or her for the turkey dinner" - it seems likely Bell would not fair well appealing to the Supreme Court of Canada either.

If the company is at all concerned about its public image - particularly among Northerners - it will soon recognize it has been thoroughly routed in this David vs. Goliath court fight, and seek to make amends.

As the Andersons aren't interested in money, except perhaps their legal costs, Yellowknifer suggests Bell should make a bold counter move bound to generate some positive press for a change. Instead of wasting time tracking down thousands of customers owed tens of dollars for unfairly charged 9-1-1 fees, Bell ought to pledge that money toward building 9-1-1 service in the North.

It's being going on 15 years since former NWT chief coroner Percy Kinney recommended a 9-1-1 service be set up in Yellowknife. This came following the death of Freda Hope, who froze to death after her snowmobile crashed through thin ice on Prosperous Lake in December 2000.

A driver assisting her common-law husband tried to call for an ambulance but "garbled" communications with emergency workers led them to the wrong scene. Many people to this day don't know the number because while 9-1-1 is near universal, the suffixes 1-1-1-1 (for police) and 2-2-2-2 (for fire and ambulance) are not.

A good place to start would be the system recently approved for the Yukon. Last December, the Canadian Radio and Telecommunications Commission offered a green light, with conditions, an application for the territorial government's "auto select" emergency response system.

Residents and visitors in the Yukon will soon be able to dial 9-1-1 anywhere in the territory and be routed to an automated system in Whitehorse that allows people to choose which emergency service they need by pressing a button to direct their call. The old seven-digit system is also still in place. This is part of a broader plan to expand 9-1-1 service to the entire territory within two years.

Why the NWT remains shackled to its outdated and confusing emergency phone system is due in large part to politicians and police who lack the will to implement it.

Deep-pocketed Bell would go a long way to rehabilitate itself in the public eye by leading the way. Do that, and the government will follow.

Leafs must tear it down - now!
Editorial Comment by Darell Greer
Kivalliq News - Wednesday, January 14, 2015

In the often hilarious, sometimes stinging rivalry between Leafs and Habs fans in the Kivalliq, there's no doubt Montreal fans have the upper hand right now.

And they've been having a field day since Leafs head coach Randy Carlyle's firing this past week.

Personally, I have died a thousand hockey deaths since Toronto last hoisted the Cup in the 1966-67 season.

And, while I will remain a proud member of Leafs Nation for the rest of my days, I am under no delusions about this current edition of the Leafs squad.

In short, Leafs president Brendan Shanahan can watch his players as closely as he'd like during the remainder of the season, but, in truth, this team is broken.

Phil Kessel takes far more blame for the Leafs woes than he deserves, but he is like Patrick Kane without Jonathan Toews or Jamie Benn without Tyler Seguin.

And, since true number one centres and complimentary top three wingers aren't within the Leaf's grasp, it's time to deal one of the NHL's premiere snipers while his trade value is high.

Kessel's a prime example of why the Leafs are flawed.

They have too many players good at only one thing.

Some put up decent points, like Tyler Bozak and James Van Riemsdyk, but, like Kessel, are almost worthless in their own end of the ice.

Others, such as Leo Komarov, Mike Santorelli and Richard Panik, are defensively responsible, but would rarely tally 35 goals in a season if you added their totals together.

David Clarkson and Dion Phaneuf represent two of the worst contracts in the NHL, and only general manager Dave Nonis sees the game-changing abilities in Jake Gardiner.

The Leafs could, conceivably, make the playoffs and even sneak past the first round if goalie Jonathan Bernier stood on his head, but, as much as it kills me to say it, that's the most one can hope for with this bunch.

Leafs faithful have been waiting 48 years for another Cup, and they would gladly wait five more if they saw a true rebuild in progress.

From now until the NHL's March 2 trade deadline, if Shanahan truly is the Leafs messiah, he'll oversee the trading of their top five to seven players for solid prospects and top draft picks.

That will require the club swallowing half the contractual value of Phaneuf and Clarkson, but, hey, it's not like they can't afford it.

This year's entry draft features two generational players, plus another half-dozen top-six prospects, and the Leafs would be well-advised to sit in the best possible position for the draft lottery they can.

The Leafs have players who can help put a number of the NHL's top teams over the top in the playoffs, and now's the time for the team to cash in its chips and start playing at a different table.

The media in Toronto is brutal, and it's one of the least desirable places to play for the majority of the NHL's top free agent talent.

Either way the Leafs go, Kivalliq Habs fans are going to have the upper hand for the next five years.

Listening to their taunts will be a lot easier to take if the Leafs finally realize the only way to the top for them is to build from within.

Those of us trapped in crazy Leafs Nation can only hope, for once, that's not too much to ask.

The precipitous decline in barrenground caribou numbers is fast becoming a crisis, not only in the territory, but just about everywhere on the planet where people depend on caribou for their livelihood.

Yet a clear explanation on what exactly is happening to them remains frustratingly out of reach.

Considering how important caribou are to the people of the North, and how long the question of whether emergency conservation measures are needed to save barrenground caribou, it is surprising – some might say deeply disappointing – what little is known about why the herds are in trouble.

Some still question whether caribou herds are really crashing, and whether the population numbers provided by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) are merely inaccurate.

An independent peer review released in May 2009 by the Alberta Research Council found the department's methodology in conducting herd counts to be more or less sound, stating, "The existing data did not reveal any evidence that the observed decline in some herds is an artifact of neglect or intent by ENR biologists."

In other words, the way in which the GNWT surveys caribou populations – by taking aerial photographs of calving grounds, counting how many caribou appear and extrapolating that information into an overall population for individual herds – is not a problem.

While some inconsistencies in the time of year herds were counted were noted, the study authors ultimately agreed with the department that the Bathurst, Bluenose-East, Bluenose-West and Cape Bathurst herds are in decline, and that conservation efforts were warranted for those herds.

News/North believes the caribou populations are crashing. Not only because ENR says so, but because barrenground caribou are also disappearing in Nunavut, Nunavik and elsewhere.

Something is clearly going on. So, what is it?

People use buzzwords such as "climate change" to explain away their demise. But if that's the case, where are the bodies on the ground? If caribou were dropping dead like bees, it only makes sense that someone would have found a pile or two of their carcasses by now.

Mining activity is also being blamed. It is true the winter road from Yellowknife to the diamond mines cuts through caribou migration routes. It is also true that winter roads and other highways put hunters at an easy reach when caribou wander close to the roadways. But, again, where is the data? Where is the information from collared caribou that show caribou are avoiding mine sites and roadways?

Also being blamed are the hunters. On the surface, over-harvesting makes sense. There would be no carcasses left on the land – at least if proper harvesting practices are being followed. There is currently no way to know for sure how many caribou are harvested in the NWT each year – nor are there intergovernmental agreements in place on many of the herds to create a final tally for those animals that migrate over borders throughout the year.

However, upon deeper inspection it cannot be as simple a fix as limiting the caribou harvest – even if everyone bought into that idea. Caribou are still disappearing at an alarming rate in regions outside of the territory.

This is where traditional knowledge can hopefully fill in the many gaps left by the scientific knowledge about barrenground caribou. Time and time again, TK has been proven right. So, when people such as Dettah Chief Ed Sangris say the Bathurst herd has joined up with the Beverly and Ahiak herd, that needs to be investigated.

What is needed is an intensive research process that looks at all the possibilities of what could be killing off barrenground caribou. For this, the territory needs federal and even international help. Detailed satellite data is needed, not just photos taken out of the window of an airplane. People are needed to sit and listen to elders talk about the caribou.

Only once all that information is gathered together in the same place can the mystery of what is happening to the caribou be solved.

To hopefully help spread some of the traditional knowledge that has so far been overshadowed by scientific evidence, News/North is going to begin intensely exploring the issue by talking to as many elders and people who spend time on the land as we can. If you or someone you know can help us in this endeavour, please get in touch.

So many questions remain about what is happening to the caribou and, frankly, the answers so far are unsatisfactory.

It is perhaps fitting for a former school teacher to face some tests of his own.

Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau is on his Northern tour this week and plans to be in Iqaluit Jan. 12 and 13.

His visit to Nunavut follows two stops in the NWT, the first at the Sunrise Festival in Inuvik and the second a series of appearances, including a fundraising dinner in the capital, Yellowknife.

The issues of public concern in Nunavut, of course, are quite different than those in the neighbouring territory, which completed its negotiations toward the devolution of powers to the territorial government from Ottawa with an agreement last April.

Nunavut is in the early days of its own process to take over stewardship of land and water resources from the federal government with Premier Peter Taptuna's recent announcement of the appointment of negotiators.

On the other hand, Nunavut is far more open for business than its neighbour to the west. Its regulatory process is clearly defined and big projects are actively operating or in development.

We'd like to hear Trudeau's thoughts on the need for more resource development, considering his opposition in 2005 to a $100-million zinc mine proposed for the NWT he argued would poison the pristine Nahanni River, which flows through a United Nations World Heritage Site.

Nunavut has a couple of areas of concern in regards to the relationship between Inuit wishing to continue a traditional lifestyle of hunting, fishing and trapping versus big international business interests. Seismic testing approved by the National Energy Board in Baffin Bay and Davis Strait is being opposed by the hamlet of Clyde River and supporters.

And the Mary River iron ore mine project is changing with Baffinland now wanting to ramp up its schedule for shipping from Milne Inlet.

Voters want to know Trudeau's thoughts on how resource development can work to the greatest benefit of the Inuit, not on the backs of the Inuit.

Nunavummiut have two public opportunities to see Trudeau in action. It is in their best interest to become informed about the views of the major political parties over the course of the next few months, including the credentials of individual candidates as they emerge.

The process of learning and gathering the information needed to make an informed decision in October, begins now.

Justin Trudeau is embarking on a trip northward in attempt to convince Northerners that this time his party takes the territories seriously.

He's come North to talk to the people, take in the sights and attend a rather pricey $600 fundraiser.

Despite the young leader's glamour, building inroads in the NWT is going to take a lot of work because the decades of neglect under the Liberal regime are not about to be forgotten nine years out of office.

Whereas the Liberals saw the North as little more than a storehouse for natural resources, Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the Conservatives see it as an opportunity for development and financial boon. Harper, even before he became prime minister, trumpeted the North as the country's future to economic greatness.

Nonetheless, the opportunity to retake the NWT seat is greater this year than any since Ethel Blondin-Andrew's 18-year run ended in 2006 when the Liberals lost power.

NWT MP Dennis Bevington has worked hard to bring Northern issues to the table despite attempts by the Conservative government to marginalize him. But he has hinted he may not run in the next federal election, depending on when it's held, and the NDP itself is facing a problem with plunging poll numbers. NDP leader Thomas Mulcair has simply not resonated with voters – unlike the late Jack Layton, a personal friend of Bevington's -- and it's showing.

The Conservatives, meanwhile, appear set this year to run another former MLA with plenty of personal baggage in the form of former premier Floyd Roland.

This is where Trudeau can jump in and try to show Northerners the Liberals are a viable centrist alternative to the NDP.

But it all comes back to history.

Past Liberal governments accomplished next to nothing when it came to the North. Never have.

Harper could be doing more but he's already done so much more than the Liberals have ever done. Devolution over resources, punted around hopelessly from one Liberal prime minister to another, will be a shiny crown to wear for whoever gets the Conservative nomination in the NWT this year, Roland or whomever.

There are several issues Trudeau should pounce on right away: the failure of Nutrition North, the outrageous high cost of living, and the stinginess of the Conservatives on infrastructure. Remember, the GNWT had to build the Deh Cho Bridge by itself.

The timing is right for Trudeau and the Liberals because the Conservatives are fast becoming a tired old government, much like the Liberals were under Jean Chretien in the early 2000s, and with the right mindset, voters may send Harper a message that things aren't what they used to be and they want a change.

But the North was never a priority for Liberals and people don't forget. That is the issue this second Trudeau must solve if he hopes to retake this seat.

Reflecting on the year that was, it is clear that late 2014 was a painful period for Fort Simpson.

From the death of Liidlii Kue First Nation Chief Minnie Letcher, to the loss of Destiny Nahanni-Hope, to the passing of elders, it seemed the losses just kept coming at the end of the year.

The pain caused by these losses led to several pointed questions for Premier Bob McLeod when he was in the village in early December.

Rita Cazon recounted how someone she knows who is depressed was simply told to call a hotline over the holidays because no counsellors would be available.

She rightly said that wasn't acceptable for people in need.

Cazon and others at the meeting expressed the need for action on mental health and addictions programming to help the people of the Deh Cho region.

The premier's response to what was brought up?

That the territorial government is working on a strategy to deal with addictions and mental health.

That's clearly not enough.

The 17th legislative assembly has several more sessions before the territorial election in November.

There's still time to take action that will help those who need it. Let's see our politicians move on the issue and help their vulnerable constituents.

It's unfortunate that the minister of Health and Social Services wasn't present.

When similar questions were raised in the legislative assembly this past fall, he spoke about a mobile additions treatment centre in the works, but not yet ready. It would spend about 48 days in a community treating those in need, then move on.

MLAs rightly pointed out this does nothing for those in a community facing an immediate need.

The premier has said that after the death of Nahanni-Hope in Wrigley in December, counselling was made available.

That's good. Hopefully that service was used by those impacted.

However, we should commend the actions of John Dempsey and his bosses who run the Northern Store.

Dempsey recognized the need among his staff members and got permission to bring in crisis counsellors to the village. The service was also opened to community members. That's both good management and is an example of good corporate citizenship.

We hope that there isn't a need for such steps this year.

Let's talk New Year's resolutions and remembrance.

It's that time of year when we start looking to the 365 days ahead and the changes we want to make. We also often reflect on what we learned in the past year, in order to help inform what those changes should be. And, of course, we also look back and just remember the good times of 2014.

Luckily, Facebook has developed its own tool for helping us remember the momentous events of the past year - at least those that we chose to share on social media.

The people of Inuvik are plugged in. Upon moving to town, this was evident from the get-go. Various Facebook pages co-ordinate the social engagements of the community, and many people turn to social media to have a dialogue on local issues.

Social media can be an excellent tool for opening discourse and connecting with others, but it can also be a black hole of unrealistic comparisons and lifestyles that seem too good to be true - which they usually are.

It's likely that a fair number of your friends (or more-so acquaintances if you aren't particularly selective) have clicked the link on Facebook, and had this year in review formulated from their last year of posts. Whether you've made one of your own, or prefer to reflect on your year without the assistance of technology, keep in mind that what you see on social media is a highlight reel, not an actual reflection of life.

If it seems like everyone in your mini-feed spent the year travelling, laughing with friends, dressing up for a big night out or announcing job promotions and engagements, just keep in mind that out of 365 days, those were only a handful. And, chances are, you had a handful of pretty great days as well - whether or not you felt the need to announce it over social media. Some would argue that if you had the thought to update your status, you probably weren't enjoying yourself that much.

Perhaps we need to be less focused on reflecting on the past year and just welcome the new year, with all that it brings.

Thoughts of envy and wishes that your life looked more like the sparkly reel produced for your friends - or that random person you met that one time and decided to become cyber-friends with - will do little in the way of positive outcomes.

If you plan on making big changes in 2015, go ahead and make them. If reflecting on your past year helps you to see where those changes can be made, then reflect. But make sure it's your own life you're looking at, and all parts of it.

The fact is, real life rarely looks like the Photoshopped version of perfection we maybe think it should, but it is a million times more rewarding to live by your own rules with both feet in reality.

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.