Gender jailYellowknifer - Wednesday, June 3, 2015
It's the stuff prison TV shows are made of - segregation in a concrete room with no pillow, no outdoor time, infrequent showers and the lights on 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
But this is not prime time entertainment. Last week, Yellowknifer revealed an 18-year-old woman was kept in an RCMP cell - meant as an up-to-24-hours holding room - for five straight nights. And for no other reason than an unfair and unfortunate side effect of being female in the Northwest Territories.
The city's only jail is the North Slave Correctional Centre which houses only men, giving them a relatively comfortable waiting space for court appearances. Those at the facility get recreation time, can watch TV, look out the window and can get both visitors and phone calls. This is where men go while awaiting court dates.
But because the women's correctional facility is nearly 800 km away in Fort Smith, they are not afforded the same comforts. The 18-year-old, who Yellowknifer chose not to name, had been picked up by RCMP for theft and between then and her earliest court appearances was kept in the holding cell.
Those in custody are under the wing of the Department of Justice, which in this case is not much better than an indifferent babysitter.
In the wake of the woman's nearly week-long stint in cells, a department spokesperson told Yellowknifer, "Today we ensure female offenders are brought forward as soon as practicable to appear in court and transported to Fort Smith on a timely basis."
If five days can be considered a "timely basis" then the Department of Justice may find itself on the losing side of a human rights complaint or constitutional challenge.
Perhaps "timely basis" is relative to a 2008 case in which a 21-year-old woman spent 17 days in RCMP cells in Yellowknife and Inuvik prior to court appearances.
Five days is a lot shorter than 17 - but no less unacceptable.
Those in custody now receive no benefit for time spent in RCMP holding cells. The federal Conservatives' 2009 Truth in Sentencing Act barred judges from offering three-for-one credits for time served in dismal conditions.
While flying female prisoners to Fort Smith and back like they're busy business people is not necessarily a viable option, it remains better than having them endure segregation-like conditions in RCMP cells. Surely, it's a situation that warrants wider use of video court appearances.
The bottom line is that a person's gender should never dictate the difference between accommodation that's somewhat comfortable and accommodation fit for somebody who's shanked another inmate in prison.
Whether it's making more use of video appearances, dolling out dough for more airplane rides for women, building another women's facility in the capital, or making space for inmates awaiting court dates at the North Slave Correctional Centre, it's the justice department's move - and move it must.
A little research can save a lot of regretEditorial Comment by Darrell Greer
Kivalliq News - Wednesday, June 3, 2015
Rankin Inlet has long shown itself to be extremely generous when it comes to supporting charities and local fundraising efforts.
The same can be said of all seven Kivalliq communities, which routinely donate more than expected.
But these are perilous days when it comes to donating to charity.
That's especially true when donations are solicited through the mail or online.
If one doesn't want to hand their hard-earned money to greedy, dishonest or overpaid executives in the charity game, a little research is required before signing a cheque or hitting send.
It even doesn't hurt to research the charitable entity a local volunteer may be canvassing for.
Many were rocked by the news four American cancer charities were charged with misusing donations after investigations by the Federal Trade Commission and attorney generals from all 50 states.
The charities charged were the Cancer Fund of America, Children's Cancer Fund of America, Breast Cancer Society and Cancer Support Services.
The Children's Cancer Fund and Cancer Support Services have agreed to close, while the other two are fighting the allegations.
It's one of the biggest fraud cases in American history, with a mind-numbing $187 million allegedly going to executive perks.
The money was collected via telemarketing and mail solicitations, with the Associated Press reporting the donations were given with the understanding the money would be used for medicine and the transportation of patients.
In Canada, the annual salaries of some of the highest paid charity executives has been a hot topic of discussion for the past few years.
The charities do not have to name their highest-paid executives, but, according to the Canada Revenue Agency, they do have to file annual reports on salaries earned by their 10 highest-paid workers.
Those figures during the past five years have shown top executives earning big numbers, often ranging from $200,000 to $300,000 per annum in salary and benefits.
As reported by the Ottawa Citizen in June 2014, the United Way of Ottawa had seven employees hauling in $120,000 to $250,000 annually.
The charitable agency, by the way, fell $4 million short of its goal in 2014. Go figure!
Make no mistake about it, charitable giving is big, big business.
We must be fair and note some inflated salaries may be deemed necessary, in that it takes top income to lure top executives from the private sector.
But there are limits, and every suit in a boardroom should not be hauling in a staggering $800 a day.
Many Kivalliqmiut who can afford to -- and a good number who really can't -- are quick to open their wallets and purses to help those less fortunate among us, and to support the ongoing battle against cancer and diabetes, to name but two causes.
And they are to be commended for that.
In this day and age however, those who've made the decision to donate should take the time to research those charities rated the best in our nation.
It's one way to ensure your money goes where it's supposed to, and you get the most bang for the buck out of your donation.
Justice department on probationNorthwest Territories/News North - Monday, June 1, 2015
What is black and white and red all over?
Hopefully, it's the embarrassed faces of Justice Department bureaucrats holding the scathing 50-page auditor general's report on their corrections services division.
Corrections Services is responsible for the administration of the territory's four jails, as well as developing and providing access to programs and services that assist inmates in their rehabilitation and re-integration to society.
After reading through the entire document, here is an honest question - what do the people who run corrections services do all day?
Because here's a list of what corrections services staff - at least at the time of the audit - don't do: properly train staff, co-ordinate safety inspections at facilities, manage overtime, offer adequate rehabilitation programming, make sure segregation of inmates is managed appropriately, plan for inmates' release and most importantly, follow its own directives.
More than once in the report the auditor describes situations where the department had reviewed an aspect of corrections services and made directives for improvements, only to have those orders fall on deaf ears.
"In 2008, the department undertook a review of its correctional programs, identifying significant deficiencies and making multiple recommendations for improvement," states the report.
"We found that the department had undertaken some activities in response to the report ... however, many important recommendations remained un-addressed by the department."
The women's correctional facility in Fort Smith is an embarrassment. While the building is scheduled to be replaced by 2018, the audit found it is a tinderbox fire hazard left un-inspected by the fire marshal, the staff had not conducted required evacuation drills and probably most bizarrely, remanded female inmates are housed in a facility with doors that do not lock.
Maybe the honour system works really well in Fort Smith.
There doesn't appear to be anybody managing human resources in corrections services either, judging by the ridiculous amount of overtime claimed by some guards. In the most extreme cases, some are logging 860 overtime hours a year. That is 107 extra eight-hour workdays tacked onto an approximately 250-workday year. According to the report, these security guards are unlikely to be properly trained, which might explain why they are only maintaining case management profiles of some inmates and not following departmental guidelines when they do.
Regarding the release of inmates the report states, "While the corrections service directives indicate the importance of such planning to an inmate's re-integration, they provide very little guidance on planning for inmates' release and focus only on arranging for their transportation back to the place of residence or conviction and on providing inmates with appropriate clothing."
More than 600 inmates entered the corrections system in the NWT in 2013. That same year, the territory boasted the highest crime rate in Canada.
In response to the report, the department has prepared an action plan. It is filled with impressive bureaucratic verbs such as "review", "analyze", "strengthen policy" and "build a change approach."
Until the public can see an analysis of the outcomes of these promises, these words will remain as empty of meaning as they seem today.
And until department officials start managing their own staff, their inmates and their facilities, those running the department's corrections services remain, in terms of public faith, on probation.
Recognize the value of community radio stationsNunavut/News North - Monday, June 1, 2015
We are hoping that Internet isn't killing the radio star.
News that the Kugluktuk Radio Society is looking at closing its doors spells the demise of a valuable source of community development.
Over the course of its 16-year history, the community radio initiative involved more than 200 volunteers, resulted in the ownership of a building and staff house and, more importantly, provided a place for youth to gain confidence, learn about technology and develop into adults who are productive members of society.
It would be a shame for all that history, groundwork and rich culture to disappear just because residents can now be connected to the rest of the world by computer.
People often place a narrow focus on education as something that is only the responsibility of schools. But just as many schools in Nunavut are placing a higher emphasis on delivery of on-the-land programs, there has been a larger realization that young people can learn in many environments, doing a variety of tasks, so long as they challenge the individual, do no harm to others and result in a positive benefit to the community.
Kugluktuk's CKUG 88.7 Buzz FM does all of that and more. Sure, there have been incidences on community radio where volunteers have made inappropriate comments or used inappropriate language on air but by and large they have been a necessary part of the fabric of the community.
In recent years, in some communities, the need for communication within the community, and between friends and relatives in nearby hamlets, has moved to social media, such as Facebook and Twitter. Most communities have a community news Facebook page where people post notices about upcoming events, lost and found items, buy and sell goods, or post greetings to others. However, just like e-mail, social media sites are somewhat impersonal. They do not provide a forum with the same degree of human touch, personality, humour, sarcasm or excitement as the spoken word, carried over the airwaves to radios in cars, kitchens, shacks and garages.
Posting a message on social media requires little skill compared to that required by an audio technician or an on-air personality, reading from a prepared script written with purpose.
Those involved with the Kugluktuk Radio Society over the years testify about the positive impact it had on their lives. One young man began working with the society as a shy, hesitant person with low self-esteem.
The process of learning to run the mixing board, writing down messages and announcements, and developing his voice allowed him to mature into a confident man with pride in his skills and an appetite to develop further.
There's no stopping the Internet. But communities need to recognize the value of radio, fight to preserve it and continue to tune in.
Left in the dark Weekend Yellowknifer - Friday, May 29, 2015
The territorial government appears to be heady with spending power after receiving a bump to its borrowing limit from Ottawa recently, leaving the GNWT with a few extra hundred million dollars available in credit and few projects identified.
If executives from Northland Utilities are to be believed, the GNWT has set its sights on what Northland estimates are the $180 million in assets the company controls across the NWT.
Minister responsible for the NWT Power Corporation Michael Miltenberger denies the government is considering the move but the government-owned power corp's decision to enter into the bidding process against Northland Utilities in Hay River could be seen as the narrow end of the wedge. Three MLAs have challenged the government to explain its power strategy against the backdrop of Northland's allegations but so far the government has not obliged.
In the absence of commentary from the government on its strategy to spend our money in direct competition with the private sector power distributor, take a moment to consider what this move amounts to.
Not only is the GNWT pushing back against a private distributor, it is pushing back against a private distributor that only recently became 50 per cent owned by Denendeh Investments Corp., itself owned by 27 NWT First Nations. Denendeh Investments hasn't yet had the opportunity to put its mark on Northland Utilities, and it already faces competition from the government.
Denendeh CEO Darrell Beaulieu was correct to point out the GNWT has better things to spend its money on -- or its credit -- than competing with the private sector to deliver power, whether in Hay River or anywhere else.
Miltenberger said the GNWT has no intention to take over Northland Utility assets. The truth of that statement will bear itself out over time but it is clear that the GNWT plans to outbid Northland in Hay River.
But who asked the GNWT to begin competing with private sector power distribution, whether in Hay River or anywhere else?
Northland Utilities is already heavily regulated by the NWT Public Utilities Board, itself made up of ministerial appointees. For Premier Bob McLeod's government to move against Northland Utilities in Hay River suggests it believes that board is not doing its job.
If the board is doing its job, there likely isn't much room for delivering savings and there can be little reason for the government to enter into the fray.
If the board is not doing its job, the GNWT should be cleaning up shop at the utilities board rather than muscling Northland into a corner.
Miltenberger's Fort Smith constituency already enjoys the lowest power rates in the territory under power corp. Perhaps the minister genuinely believes he can extend that benefit to the rest of the territory.
Nothing in past practices, however, suggests the government can do anything more cheaply than the private sector or with better customer service. In fact, it would appear more likely - in the absence of the need to control costs to ensure a regulated rate of return, as is the case with Northland - that the GNWT would simply shift more money around while endlessly subsidizing smaller communities as more and more government revenue is diverted toward propping up the NWT's power regimen.
It's willingness to swallow $20 million without hardly blinking to pay for extra diesel power due to last year's drought shows what's likely to come if power corp. is allowed to take on more customers.
This is obviously an issue deserving of a much wider public discussion, not power plays behind closed cabinet doors.
If cabinet intends to push Northland out of the NWT - and it's hard to see it any other way despite Miltenberger's denials -- in its belief that eliminating the distributor will provide residents with better energy prices, a move of this magnitude needs to be made an election issue.
To develop shady policy in secret that may in the end burden northern taxpayers with a government-run and financed utility company is not acceptable.
There's more than money in morel mushroomsDeh Cho Drum - Thursday, May 28, 2015
Last year, forest fires raged and an unprecedented amount of the Northwest Territories burned - leading to this year's much-hyped morel mushroom harvest.
Government and industry have both been advertising the bumper crop growing this year, and the sought-after fungus is expected to bring in thousands of mushroom pickers from across Canada as well as up to $10 million for NWT residents.
The government has published a harvesting guide for prospective pickers, and on April 28 the RCMP issued a statement reminding pickers to be safe during the harvesting season. However, by and large the dialogue coming from officials is positive: this year's harvest is shaping up to be a grand adventure.
People get lost, are injured and die in the wilderness all the time. Inexperience can lead to carelessness and mistakes, and any person who has spent time in the wilds of Canada knows that going out unprepared is a recipe for disaster.
While romantic notions of adventure draw large amounts of pickers to the Northwest Territories - including first-time harvesters and people who may not be used to roughing it in the bush - a lack of regulation around this growing industry could result in both physical danger and a missed economic opportunity in the millions of dollars worth of mushrooms that could be leaving the territory.
Unfortunately, when it comes to regulating morel harvesters this year, the train has already left the station, so to speak. Already, groups of pickers are gathering and scouting out burn areas.
Without a set plan to monitor these record numbers of pickers, the government has failed to mitigate risks to its forests and its people.
No doubt the RCMP will do what it can to keep an eye on pickers and buyers. However, wildfires are already blazing around Fort Providence. Record-high heat and low precipitation persist. Throwing inexperienced harvesters who may not know how to respect the land around them into the mix is irresponsible and could have terrible consequences.
This year, it may be too late to do anything. But as more wildfires spring up, other harvesters are already watching to see how much of the forest will burn - and what that could mean for next year's harvest.
By then, hopefully the government will have gotten its act together and regulated this growing industry before a tragedy occurs.
Keep on soaking up the sunshineInuvik Drum - Thursday, May 28, 2015
It seems as if the weather is the topic on the top of everyone's minds.
On May 21, the Weather Network said Inuvik was forecast to be the warmest spot in Canada. When have those words ever been written about this region in May?
The answer is likely never.
That follows the record-breaking heat of the Victoria Day weekend, when temperatures hit the 27 C or 28 C degree mark.
While it's definitely odd, the weather we've been enjoying as the polar day's 24-hour daylight is upon us definitely is being taken advantage of by residents.
Combined with the ice going with barely a whimper over the last week, boaters hit the water in droves over the weekend. Everything from canoes and kayaks to large power boats were out over the weekend, and far more people were enjoying the sunshine at the shore in the various parks and picnic areas.
I've seen far more people out on bicycles, motorcycles, dirt bikes and ATVs than normal, as well as people simply walking about and hiking.
Softball players were among the beneficiaries as well, as they had some delightful weather to open their season with on Sunday.
It's a good thing to see, and according to the Weather Network, we have something called a rex block to thank for it. A high pressure system has settled over us while a low to the south has it locked in place, effectively trapping a good chunk of the warm air in North America over the Western Arctic.
So it's unlikely to last, and more seasonal temperatures are set to roll in for the weekend if the forecast is correct.
What's also good to see is that people aren't spending too much time wringing their hands and grumbling over climate change.
Yes, the Western Arctic and the Mackenzie Delta are among the fastest-warming sections of Canada, as most people are aware of now.
This latest heat wave doesn't seem to be connected to that, which is perhaps another reason why people are relaxing and enjoying it.
Sometimes it's best not to look too deeply into good things. Instead, let's simply soak up the sun
So relax and enjoy this glorious start to summer while it's here, and let's leave the worrying behind for a bit.
We have enough winter here ... a little more summer can't hurt.
