Stick to what's realisticNorthwest Territories/News North - Monday, April 6, 2015
The territory's leaders must be feeling dismay one year into their five-year plan to increase the population of the Northwest Territories by 2,000 people.
Not only has the territory lost 200 citizens since the beginning of this initiative but a recent NWT Bureau of Statistics survey reports more than half of those working in the mining industry do not live here.
In his budget address last year, Finance Minister Michael Miltenberger told the legislative assembly the GNWT is working with the private sector and other governments to tackle the issues that lead to the territory's stagnant population growth, such as mine workers who fly in for work and fly back out to their southern home bases or high school graduates who leave to earn post-secondary degrees and never return.
It's pointless to criticize the government for having failed to grow the population so far. But it's hard to not to feel let down after reading the best idea Industry, Tourism and Investment Minister David Ramsay could come up with in last week's News/North to turn the population tide was an infrastructure project abandoned months ago because it was too expensive.
His suggestion, to link NWT's power infrastructure to southern grids, was the fruit of a 2012 roundtable discussion over how to reduce the cost of energy in the NWT. It seemed like a wonderful idea until Miltenberger announced to the legislative assembly this government was no longer considering the project because a feasibility study came back with a $1.2 billion price tag, which is almost double the originally anticipated cost. Since then, the government convened an entirely new energy roundtable and came up with a handful of other ideas to reduce the cost of energy, such as small-scale community power infrastructure and information campaigns to help people reduce their power bills on a grassroots level.
It is absolutely useless for our leaders to continue to hang on to a discarded infrastructure project to tackle a five-year goal.
Hopefully Ramsay only neglected to consult with the people Miltenberger indicated was working on the problem before talking to the media because the other possibility, that representatives from the GNWT, private sector and other governments have spent the past year hoping a defunct infrastructure project will come back from the dead is far worse.
A few Northern News Services editors had their own short brainstorming session on the issue last week and have a few ideas to add to whatever this working group has come up with. Considering the Northwest Territories already gets something to the tune of $30,000 per person who lives here in federal transfer payments, we wonder what is stopping the government from re-allocating some of that money to incentive programs to encourage mine workers to put down roots here. Perhaps the GNWT could extend low interest loans or rebate programs to people to put a down payment on a house. Perhaps it could better advertise incentive programs it already has, such as the Energy Efficiency Incentive Program, specifically to people who work in the territory but don't live here. For example, the GNWT will refund as much as much as one-third the cost, to a maximum $700, of a wood pellet stove to any NWT resident.
None of these ideas are as grandiose as linking NWT to a southern power grid but there is no reason to believe any of them aren't feasible. And really, that is all NWT citizens expect of their government officials when planning for the future of the territory - stick to what's feasible. Because the alternative, throwing out abandoned ideas as viable ones -- is no way to build confidence that our leaders have any plan to achieve their goal to build the population.
Students' trip to Europe has potential for positive resultNunavut/News North - Monday, April 6, 2015
Posing on a pile of snow in the remote Baffin Island community of Clyde River, five teenagers with a longing for knowledge have embarked on a project that appears to be too ambitious.
Set to graduate from Quluaq School, Tyson Palluq, Nora Aipellee, Katelyn Hainnu, Maybelle Enuaraq and Leah Palituq need to raise about $30,000 to pay for a graduation trip to Paris and London.
And they don't have much time left to pay the balance of the cost of the tour, $20,000, after clearing the significant hurdle of raising $8,000 to pay a deposit last month. Another $10,000 is needed for the students to get to Ottawa from their Nunavut community to catch the plane and embark on a great learning adventure.
The students have been doing everything in their power to raise money for the trip, including catering the recent opening of a new hamlet office, where they cooked and served country food for the feast. They've also done raffles, bake sales, cake walks, 50-50 draws and hockey pools.
The problem is that Clyde River has only about 1,000 residents. About half of the residents are under the age of 18 and about half of the adult residents are on social assistance and don't have much money. That's why the group turned to a crowdfunding campaign on GoFundMe, where perfect strangers have the opportunity to donate to the cause.
We believe it is a worthwhile endeavour, deserving of support, for a number of reasons.
This is the first time the school has organized a trip outside Canada. The students will learn about history involving Canadians during the Second World War with a visit to the beaches of Normandy. Tour companies which specialize in educational excursions for students pack days during the trip with activities and realms of information about each country's history, people and way of life.
The trip is bound to be an eye-opening and perhaps life-changing experience for each of the students. It has the potential to create future leaders in the community, people with vision, who can realize the untapped potential within their own community.
The trip will likely also inspire other young people to stay in school, to apply themselves to their studies and graduate high school with an anticipation of greater things to happen.
The community is supporting this initiative as well as it can, even providing the means for the students to get passports. However, the goal cannot be reached within the school or the hamlet itself. Outside forces are required to make this trip a reality.
Our hope is that more people contribute to the crowdfunding campaign - or that a wealthy individual, a generous corporate donor or a politician able to pull some strings steps forward - to help these young people accomplish their ambitions.
We think it will be well worth the investment.
Seniors and the Northern Advantage Weekend Yellowknifer - Friday, April 3, 2015
The old tale of someone trekking up to Yellowknife for a quick visit only to end up falling in love with the clean Northern air and tightly knit sense of community is a familiar one.
So it should come as no surprise that the city's aging seniors are steadfast in their desire to stay in the place they have come to call home.
"It's a lovely place to live," said Merlyn Williams, the recently elected president of the Yellowknife Seniors' Society.
Last week, Yellowknifer reported that despite the high cost of living more and more seniors are deciding to remain in the city rather than flock south as many snowbirds eventually do. As lovely as it may be the reality is that Yellowknife's aging population is facing a housing crunch.
According to Jeff Renaud, the CEO of Avens' seniors home, Yellowknife's senior population is expected to double by 2031, while the number of people older than 60 is expected to triple over that same time-frame. The news from Renaud this week that Avens is $20 million short of the expected $28 million it will cost to build a 60,000 square-foot expansion of the facility is troubling to say the least.
When completed, the expanded seniors home will offer 60 long-term care beds - 31 of which will be new, while the other 29 will be transferred over from the existing facility. It will also provide three palliative care beds. Given that there is currently only a single bed dedicated to palliative care in Yellowknife these beds are much needed.
Last year, the territorial government was thumping its chest at a bold plan to attract 2,000 new residents to the territory before 2019. So far, it has met with very limited success. But what of those who have already made a commitment to staying here come hell or high water?
Glen Abernethy has proclaimed that Avens is an important partner in maintaining the NWT's population and the all important $30,000 per capita federal dollars residents bring to the territory.
Seniors may not contribute to the workforce in the same way that younger people to do -- although it is not uncommon to strike up a conversation with someone well into their 70s who is gainfully employed. But they are residents who pay rent, goods and services, all the while contributing to a vibrant community.
The GNWT already provides benefits, such as extended health care coverage and subsidized rent, which seniors such as Marg Green say make Yellowknife an attractive place to live.
But if the government wants to make sure it doesn't lose a rapidly growing part of its population in a southward exodus, it should put its money where its mouth is and invest in more seniors' housing.
Don't expect power bill break Weekend Yellowknifer - Friday, April 3, 2015
Speaking on behalf of Denendeh Investments Inc., which recently upped its ownership interest in Northland Utilities to 50 from 15 per cent, company president Darrell Beaulieu said the company was "definitely committed" to looking at ways to lower power rates. But it's difficult to see where lower rates could come in.
The NWT Public Utilities Board already closely regulates the power rate that Northland Utilities is able to charge its approximately 9,000 residential and commercial power consumers in Yellowknife, Hay River, Ndilo and several other small communities.
In a nutshell, the public utilities board reviews both the operating costs of NWT power providers and the fairness of the provider's proposed annual power rates. Assuming the utilities board is doing its job in protecting the public interest, it's unlikely any NWT power provider is truly gouging ratepayers. The board essentially determines the profitability of the provider, hopefully ensuring the provider does not grow rich on the back of what could be described as a monopoly situation.
It's difficult to see where there could be much wiggle room on power rates in such a tightly regulated market, especially when one considers the fiduciary duty of a corporation to make a return on shareholder investment.
The real news in this announcement is that a Northern, aboriginal-owned corporation has increased its ownership in the company.
Having a Northern company, and in particular Denendeh Investments, take a great interest in the destiny of Northland Utilities bodes will for all residents of the North. Just don't expect your power bill to come down anytime soon when Northland's profits are already so closely regulated.
Get back to the tableDeh Cho Drum - Thursday, April 2, 2015
Premier Bob McLeod has a lot of explaining to do.
In the legislative assembly on at least two occasions, and in interviews with the media, the premier has said the territorial government has no plans to terminate the Dehcho Process if the Dehcho First Nations doesn't accept its latest offer to settle the decades-long land claims negotiations.
Questioned by both Nahendeh MLA Kevin Menicoche and Deh Cho MLA Michael Nadli in the house, the premier has categorically denied the government has threatened to end negotiations. He gave his word to MLAs, to the people of the region and across the territory, that the government is willing to sit down and work out an agreement, going as far to say the Dehcho First Nations is acting like the "boy who cried wolf."
Correspondence between the premier and Grand Chief Herb Norwegian given to the Deh Cho Drum reveals a different narrative - a far cry from the old tale of the boy and the wolf.
Not only was the premier contradicting his public statements with those made in private with the first nations group, he has also walking a fine line between bending the truth and outright lying.
A letter dated Feb. 20 to Norwegian from McLeod says if the Dehcho First Nations doesn't accept the government's latest offer by early April then negotiations should be terminated.
Mr. Premier, doesn't this sound a lot like the opposite of what you've told members of your government, the public and Dehcho members?
A response from the premier's spokesperson Shaun Dean on whether the premier mislead the legislative assembly - which both Menicoche and Nadli feel may be the case - says the contents of the letter is a "respectful" and "frank" assessment of the status of negotiations and that all parties need to be realistic about the possibility of success.
The definition of negotiation is a dialogue between two parties intended on reaching an understanding by resolving differences. If you call negotiations a take-it-or-leave-it offer then there is a problem. What's going on right now is not negotiating. It's telling the Dehcho First Nations that this is the best offer they're going to get so take it now or watch years of negotiations crumble.
The result of this ultimatum has been an outright public war of words. It's understandable why the Dehcho First Nations is upset. It feels backed into a corner by an offer void of any opportunity for negotiation.
However, the current state of talks - or lack thereof - isn't the fault of Dehcho leadership. They can't be blamed for threatening legal action over bad-faith negotiations by the territorial government. What are they to do? The Dehcho Process has been happening for decades, and they aren't about to let it die.
The premier needs to take responsibility for what is happening. By strong-arming leaders, described by a number of chiefs as bullying, it's putting the talks on thin ice.
If cooler heads don't prevail and the government doesn't back down on its offer, the ice will crack and all the work achieved will disappear.
Jamboree is a premiere eventInuvik Drum - Thursday, April 2, 2015
Judging by the weather, there might not have been any compelling signs of spring over the weekend, but the start of jamboree season says otherwise.
With another successful Muskrat Jamboree in the books, even with a troubled financial situation, it's time to give some thanks to the many people who give up a lot of their time and energy to plan it.
Yes, things went somewhat awry this year with the organizing committee's failure to apply for its annual Jamboree bingo license, but mistakes happen.
There's no point in excoriating the town council for it declining to dispense with its normal procedures and grant the Jamboree an exception, although it might have been understandable if it did. As Coun. Alana Mero said, council didn't want to open Pandora's Box by setting a precedent, and she has a point.
One of the sillier elements of this argument, though, is what constitutes a special event.
The Muskrat Jamboree, of course, is one of the signature special events for the town, if not the premiere special event. If it isn't that premiere event, it would be hard to say what is. Perhaps the Sunrise Festival, coincidentally operated by the town.
Putting all of that dry, political stuff aside, the jamboree once again ran fairly smoothly and without major incidents, with the members of the organizing committee not hard to find.
People like Gerry Kisoun and Jeff Amos seemed to be everywhere and at every event. Adele Campbell certainly needs some accolades for putting together a bountiful community feast heavy on traditional foods.
From the snowmobile races to the honey-bag hockey to the log sawing and the dog sledding, everything went fairly smoothly over the weekend.
Sure, you could be disappointed that for the second time in three years there wasn't a muskrat skinning competition, but these things happen.
The jamboree had a bit of a new look to it this year, with some events removed while others were modified. A facelift for the main "village" on the river was good to see.
I said in a column in 2014 that I think everyone who takes in even a bit of the jamboree festival should be stopping the organizers on the street or in the coffee shops or stores around town and thanking them for their efforts, and my opinion hasn't changed.
Now, let's get set for spring and let's hope the jamboree's lingering money issues don't affect its kids carnival in June.
Local focus, thinking abroadYellowknifer - Wednesday, April 1, 2015
Yellowknife has become a preferred destination for Japanese tourists either visiting short-term holidays, or on longer-term working holidays.
Many businesses have been welcoming them for years, as both visitors and employees. Other businesses and the city could be following this trend by marketing popular attractions to other groups.
Businesses like Aurora Village, Explorer Hotel, Sushi North, Sushi Cafe, aurora tourism companies and a few others have been going out of their way for some time to accommodate Japanese and Chinese tourists by offering services tailored to their cultural and language needs. They offer group tours, which is a preferred method of touring, bilingual guides and brochures. This has helped make Yellowknife a very desirable destination for Asian travellers.
We heard from two long-term visitors on their reasons for choosing the North. Yuichi Sakamoto said he came to Yellowknife as part of a bucket-list tour of North America. He said he has felt very welcome since arriving, even finding work at a local coffee shop. Never once has he felt lonely, either, he said.
Kei Horinouchi found work at Sushi Cafe and said he liked it here, citing the northern lights. This is the latest stop in a five-year journey to tour the world before going back to Japan. Both have met many fellow Japanese travellers who are also travelling the continent and learning English. The chance to make money and see the wild landscapes, as well as our famed auroras, is a big draw for them. While these visitors may only be here temporarily, we can be doing more to attract them. Other tourist-centric communities like Banff and Jasper have responded to these demographics by having signage in multiple languages, including Japanese and Mandarin, as well as hiring staff fluent in languages besides English.
Whitehorse, while also attracting large numbers of Asian tourists, has a marketing strategy that caters specifically to German tourists. Yellowknife businesses could do the same by tailoring their advertising to the international tourists. Recognizing the success of our Northern entrepreneurs, the city and GNWT can be tailoring their own tourism efforts by designing co-operative advertising packages and partnering with them on international tours, having them as part of information junkets.
The North has a reputation for being a friendly, welcoming region, embracing all regardless of their background. Word-of-mouth and private business advertising has broken the trail. Now municipal and territorial governments can follow suit and start focusing their tourism plans on more international market.
Turn parking lot into parking lotYellowknifer - Wednesday, April 1, 2015
Surveyors in search of gold wouldn't disregard other potential metals in their efforts. Iron may not carry the same allure, but without it you can't have cars or bridges. In the same way, the city should consider modest ideas when assessing the potential for the 50/50 lot.
In a debate that has seen suggested uses include a library, a drug treatment centre and a park, a business owner pitched an idea that should not be overlooked.
Bijou Boutique owner Jill Groenewegen suggested it remain a parking lot.
Why?
"Because it is a parking lot right now, it wouldn't cost a lot to have that happen," said Groenewegen.
Consider the benefits: put some meters up there or get a toll booth at the entrance and then the city has another revenue stream. That's an idea that could see action in weeks instead of years.
If that's not as exciting as some of the other ideas on the table, consider that this could be used in tandem some of the other pitches. Coun. Cory Vanthuyne suggested it be used to host festivals. It's been done before, the Yellowknife Artist Run Community Centre hosted such an event in 2013 to have Yellowknifers suggest ideas for the lot. The event brought art installations and musicians to the downtown core and similar events could easily draw business as well. Food trucks could also assemble there. Block off the lot to cars for the day and Bob's your uncle.
Of course, that's not to say the other ideas should be taken off the table, but some of them could take years to come to fruition. In the meantime, the city should make the best use of its asset with the least risk to taxpayers.
The risk of handling moneyEditorial Comment by Darrell Greer
Kivalliq News - Wednesday, April 1, 2015
It's a thankless task, and one carrying a certain amount of risk to one's reputation no matter how careful the execution.
Perception is often more dangerous than reality in today's social media-driven world, where news, rumour and innuendo are instantaneous.
That makes volunteering more precarious than ever, especially for those who handle a group, league, or organization's money.
You don't earn brownie points for doing a great job, and someone's always ready to pounce should the day arrive when suspicion is cast upon the bottom line.
I was greatly dismayed over a recent situation that played out in Arviat on a number of levels.
The Rankin team leaving without the $10,000 promised to the winner of the Jon Lindell Memorial (JLM) Calm Air Cup cast a pallor over the Kivalliq hockey community.
Bad news travels fast in hockey, and it wasn't long before fingers were pointed and repercussions felt.
The First Air Avataq Cup executive were right to deny Arviat entry to the event until the money is paid.
And it was a relief to learn $7,000 was delivered to Rankin during Avataq week.
It's no great shakes to cover $3,000, with Rankin getting free admission to future JLMs for one example.
The same cannot be said for $10,000.
What was not right, however, was the handful of folks who suggested Arviat event and team organizer Gleason Uppahuak may have been up to some funny business with the money.
I have known Mr. Uppahuak for his entire adult life, and would bet a year's salary on the man's integrity.
The only mistake he made was taking on too much and doing everything himself.
Needing help with an event, but continuing on alone for fear it will end if you don't, is a conundrum shared by more than a few in our region.
Many hands make light work and almost always produce a successful event.
Going it alone is a lonely path fraught with peril, despite one's best intentions.
In the Kivalliq, we rely on bingo, raffles and other fundraisers to host events.
The raffle approach has worked well for the Avataq in Rankin, but I dare say it wouldn't raise nearly as much if the tickets were printed a mere day before the event, which is what happened in Arviat for this year's JLM.
It's baffling how some -- who are never involved with a group's finances because they never help -- always seem to think there should be more money in the kitty when a shortfall occurs.
To my understanding, Mr. Uppahuak gave the hamlet all the paperwork associated with the finances of senior men's hockey in Arviat shortly after word of the shortfall began to make the rounds.
It was the right move to exonerate his name from any monkey business, and it may have saved his family a bit of pain had the hamlet publicly announced all was in order after reviewing the paperwork.
Running a tournament in the Kivalliq is expensive and time-consuming business.
Those who take on that responsibility should be given the chance -- with respect -- to present the facts during the rare times when things don't go as planned.
And folks who never lift a finger to help should be the last to point when people doing all the work fall short of the mark.
