Voters deserve detailsNorthwest Territories/News North - Monday, August 24, 2015
During the 1993 federal election campaign, former prime minister Kim Campbell was famously quoted, or perhaps misquoted, as saying: "an election is no time to discuss serious issues."
The statement haunted her unsuccessful campaign for election and lingers as part of her prime ministerial legacy, such was the public condemnation of the notion that voters ought to be fed bread and circuses instead of being informed about candidates' specific perspectives on government policy, misquoted or not.
At 78-days-long, the present race to fill the 338 seats in the House of Commons is a marathon.
The 11-week campaign is the longest since 1872 and nearly double the 10-year average.
NWT voters have a list of serious issues that demand attention from their next parliamentary representative, and with 56 days left in this campaign there is ample time for candidates to articulate their political programs through media, from community hall podiums and on the doorstep.
The candidates include incumbent NDP MP Dennis Bevington of Fort Smith; Conservative former premier Floyd Roland of Inuvik; the current premier's brother, Liberal Michael McLeod of Fort Providence; and Libertarian Yellowknife business owner Bob Stewart. The Green Party had not nominated a candidate as of yesterday afternoon.
Much of the first two weeks of the campaign has been quiet, with most candidates speaking up during Prime Minister Stephen Harper's visit to Hay River on Aug. 14.
Roland stood with Harper as the Conservative prime minister pledged $14 million to chipseal the remaining 68-kilometre stretch of Highway 5 through Wood Buffalo National Park to Fort Smith, a project that has been pitched and pined for by Parks Canada and area residents throughout the past decade.
Liberal candidate McLeod entered the campaign conversation by lauding the plan to chipseal Highway 5 and topping it with Liberal pledges to dredge the Hay River harbour and refurbish the port, construct an all-weather road to Whati and complete the more than $1 billion Mackenzie Valley Highway to boost industry and tourism and improve services and lower the cost of living for community residents.
Bevington advocated for the same $14 million upgrade to Highway 5 promised by Harper and approved by McLeod and stuck to a 2011 NDP commitment to establish an ongoing federal Northern infrastructure program to cover major long-term projects such as the completion of the Mackenzie Valley Highway.
Like McLeod, Bevington steered the discussion toward the high cost of living North of 60, proposing to consult with Northerners to overhaul the Conservative Nutrition North program to include an additional 50 communities while instituting a permanent home-retrofit program to help homeowners make their dwellings more energy-efficient and reduce heating costs.
Now that the three national parties so far represented in the NWT have broken the ice, it is time for the communication with voters to continue so residents may cast their ballots with all their policy questions answered and with their concerns confirmed or allayed.
New writing standard for widespread communicationNunavut/News North - Monday, August 24, 2015
The continued evolution of the family of Inuit languages, known as Inuktut, is at a major turning point worthy of notice by the Inuit of Nunavut.
Autausiq Inuktut Titirausiq, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami's language task group, conducted consultations with Inuit across Inuit Nunangat - Nunavut, Nunavik, Nunatsiavut and the Inuvialuit Settlement Region of the Northwest Territories - on the future of the written language, which is currently done in two different ways.
The system of syllabics was developed in the 1870s by Anglican missionaries and was first used to translate books of the Bible for the Inuit. Since then it has changed considerably, especially with the advent of typewriters, when the Makivik Corporation expanded the script so it could be typed and printed using keys on a typewriter.
Syllabics is commonly used in Nunavut for numerous types of written communication of Inuktitut, including road signs, territorial and federal government communication and news stories in this newspaper.
The task group has a mandate of recommending a way forward regarding a unified writing system that could be used in all the regions the family of Inuit languages are used. Several regions use the same Latin alphabet in which English is written. Often referred to as Roman orthography, this method of writing Inuktut, particularly the different dialects of Inuktitut used in Nunavut, allows for more complete transcription. Not all the vowels used in English are used in syllabics and there are no syllabic symbols for some letters used in Roman orthography. In short, the syllabic system of writing is flawed, yet widely used.
The Inuk language used by the Inuvialiut in the Western Arctic, Inuvialuktun, and the Inuinnaqtun used by many Inuit of the Kitikmeot region, are most often written using Roman orthography.
The goal of the task group is to support the sharing of teaching materials and international communication between Inuit people in all regions.
Made up of eight members - two each from Nunavut, Nunavik, the Nunatsiavut region and the Inuvialuit region - the task group made a great effort to consult people from all regions, posting public announcements, placing notices and making special invitations to elders, youth, teachers and community leaders.
We applaud the task group's efforts to reach out and hear from all parties who could be impacted by a change. Some people have been adamantly opposed to change, as often happens.
However, change must happen to keep the language alive and actively in use. It is being taught in schools across Nunavut and must be able to evolve as time goes on.
Ultimately, and fortunately, unlike what occurred with the system forced upon the Inuit by Anglican missionaries, it is up to the Inuk-speaking Inuit to decide what the future of the written word will be.
Not a bathroom free-for-all Weekend Yellowknifer - Friday, August 14, 2015
Gender can seem pretty straightforward: pink for girls, blue for boys. Trucks for boys, Barbies for girls. Janet for girls, Joseph for boys.
But more often, people are learning that gender can be seen as more of a spectrum and as this seeps further into mainstream society, the black-and-white norms that define gender so rigidly are being pushed aside.
Perhaps the most vivid illustration of a place for boys and a place for girls are public bathrooms. Not much is left to interpretation in front of doors with only two very specific options.
For some, which door to walk through is not obvious and standing in this very spot sets the stage for isolation and confusion. Although many places do have a single-use wheelchair-accessible washroom, this is not always the case, nor is that washroom meant for those struggling with their gender identity.
As Yellowknifer reported last week, Yellowknife Education District No. 1 is responding to a push from students to consider a third, gender-neutral washroom in school to support students who are transgender, meaning they do not define their gender as stated on their birth certificates.
This is not a bathroom free-for-all. The school district is not intending to rip off the male and female signs and let all people walk through any door as if Yk's public schools have taken a hint from gay nightclubs in downtown Vancouver.
This is a third door.
This is the grey area between the black and white of gender norms. This is looking at a very specific and possibly a very small sector of students and saying, "You're normal. Here's a place where you belong. It's OK to be who you are."
This is of the utmost importance, especially because students who identify as LGBTQ - 'T' being transgender - face the highest suicide rates in the country.
Seventy-seven per cent of trans-people surveyed in a study posted by the Canadian Mental Health Association had seriously considered suicide and 45 per cent had attempted it. Twenty per cent of trans-people had experienced physical or sexual assault because of their identity; 34 per cent were subjected to verbal threats or harassment.
The very existence of a third, gender-neutral bathroom can go a long way in obliterating the ignorance that is often the root of such violence against trans-people.
And there are plenty examples to take a cue from.
Just this May, City of Edmonton councillors unanimously decided to add gender-inclusive bathrooms into all present and future public buildings.
School districts hold a lot of power in creating a fertile ground for the development of strong, healthy individuals and this move goes a long way in tending to that soil.
Can there be only one Northern 'Net provider? Weekend Yellowknifer - Friday, August 14, 2015
We've watched as SSi Micro's position in the North has slowly eroded. Earlier this year, the Internet provider was an alternate choice to Northwestel in 10 NWT communities, as well as Yellowknife.
As of July, SSi has been reduced to serving only Yellowknife and Fort Providence in the Northwest Territories.
Northwestel reduced its retail rates for Internet service earlier this year, while not passing on any reduction in rates to wholesale client SSi Micro. This, according to SSi, left the company at a competitive disadvantage.
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) recently rejected SSi's claim that Northwestel's pricing strategy unfairly took advantage of its position as owner, wholesaler and re-seller of the North's sole data backbone, the fibre optic cable running up from the south.
After reviewing Northwestel's wholesale and retail pricing structure, the CRTC determined Northwestel was not "subjecting SSi to an undue or unreasonable disadvantage" in the marketplace.
As unlikely as that sounds, that was the CRTC's considered decision.
SSI has indicated it will appeal the ruling but is anyone listening as the bell tolls for the little guy?
It appears Northwestel is in a position to use its not "unreasonable" advantages as owner, wholesaler and retailer of the North's only fibre optic line to push out all competitors. It's already done so in all smaller NWT communities save Fort Providence.
If SSi cannot continue to provide an alternative to Northwestel in Yellowknife, be prepared for the escalation in home Internet costs once Northwestel has no competitors to consider when developing its pricing strategy.
This, after all, would be the company's reasonable advantage as a virtual monopoly on retail Internet service in the North.
Be careful what you wish forDeh Cho Drum - Thursday, August 20, 2015
In the late afternoon on Aug. 17, the Department of Transportation announced it was going to be changing the hours of the MV Lafferty ferry.
The announcement lasted just over 24 hours before the department decided to scrap the plan, since the two-hour block drew community ire from the Chamber of Commerce, village council and other public representatives.
The changes would have seen the usual 8 a.m. start pushed back to 6 a.m., closing hours wrapped up at midnight instead of 11:45 p.m. and a two-hour block from 2 to 4 p.m. with no service.
Originally, the chamber had petitioned Transportation Minister Tom Beaulieu to extend the ferry's hours from 6 a.m. to midnight.
The Chamber started that petition with a single purpose in mind: finding a solution to the traffic backlog that bottlenecks at the ferry, especially in the early hours on weekends and holidays. Past president Angela Fiebelkorn said during the organization's annual general meeting in June it was not uncommon to wait at the ferry for hours before being able to cross.
The petition was dropped off at the village office and at the Nahanni Inn as early as June 25.
A little more than one month later, on July 27, Nahendeh MLA Kevin Menicoche hand-delivered the petition, with 333 accompanying signatures and supporting letters from himself, Liidlii Kue First Nation and the Village of Fort Simpson, to Beaulieu.
From there, all the chamber had to do was wait for the Transportation minister's response.
Admittedly, that response took a somewhat different shape than expected.
As the only transportation method for vehicles leaving or entering Fort Simpson, the ferry is an essential service for businesses as well as residents.
If residents had known an early start would mean two hours of service outage in the afternoon, perhaps they would have thought twice before signing.
However, it still remains that more than a quarter of the village's population signed their names in the hope that they would see earlier service.
Transportation officials responded in the only way they could: by trying to accommodate that request.
An extra two hours of running time means hiring additional crews or overworking current crews.
So for now, changes have been booted to the curb. While that undoubtedly makes some residents happy, it puts those 333 who signed the petition right back where they began.
A compromise will likely need to be made by all if extending ferry hours poses a difficulty, but perhaps all parties can reach a happy medium with a little more consultation.
More social housing welcomedInuvik Drum - Thursday, August 20, 2015
Last week, town council discussed approving a request from the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation to turn the derelict Smith Apartments on Bompas Road into low-cost housing.
There was overwhelming support for the motion, which in itself was a mere procedural requirement to move forward with the plan.
All this was in response to changes to leasing practices put in place by Northern Properties REIT whereby people on income assistance need to be able to guarantee they will pay the company one year's rent in order to be able to sign a lease.
As a councillor pointed out, leases are agreements between owners and renters stating the amount to be paid. If the renter can't pay up, they are evicted.
To ask that people have a guaranteed income for one year is within the rights of the company and may be good business as heartless as it may sound.
Good business is often heartless.
There are not many people just coming off income assistance who would meet the credit requirement of a large rental company like Northern Properties.
The reality is that homelessness can be largely a hidden problem and comes with baggage beyond the stereotypical person on the street. Homelessness can be caused by losing a job and a bad credit rating.
Many, particularly families with young children, rotate between government housing and sharing accommodations with other family members.
While these people certainly have homes, those homes are far from certain and they do not have a well-documented financial record and good credit rating.
We understand that businesses have to make a profit, and sadly, there is nowhere else for people to turn with so few rental options in Inuvik.
The fact that the territorial government is stepping up to create a real solution -- if a partial one -- to this problem is a very positive thing.
The 10 units set to be created will hopefully help 10 deserving families get their feet under them and be more secure.
Of course, government housing is rarely perfect and hassle-free for the people in it, but this is a step in the right direction.
Cops at workYellowknifer - Wednesday, August 19, 2015
Recently released reports on last year's reported crime statistics show mainly good news.
For one, it is a return to the status quo in a certain respect.
It seems the number of reported crimes are comparable to what they were prior to 2013 when the city saw an upward spike.
Secondly, it seems the number of reported serious crimes, including sexual assaults, assaults, break-and-enters, thefts and cocaine trafficking are all down to less than what they were prior to that spike in crime.
If these numbers can be considered an accurate indicator of the amount of crime occurring in the city, there's a perfectly valid interpretation that suggests law enforcement is doing its job and doing it well. Some of the crime stats on the rise since 2009 are mischief and disturbing the peace. There were 3,086 incidents of mischief reported from 2014, up from 2,051 in 2009. Disturbing the peace reports rose to 2,413, up from 1,973.
This indicates RCMP are responding to reports of more than eight incidents a day for mischief and nearly seven incidents a day for disturbing the peace.
Detachment commander Insp. Frank Gallagher said himself in 2013 the vast majority of the assaults that occur in the city are alcohol-related. It seems reasonable to assume the same is true about mischief and disturbing the peace.
Having more people arrested for smaller crimes could mean they are being kept from the more serious crimes that are in decline.
That's good for residents who want to walk the streets at night knowing they're safe from harm, the would-be victims spared from a harrowing experience and the would-be offenders of more serious crime who may find the help they need before they get too far down the wrong path.
The next step, of course, is dealing with the abysmal rates of addiction in the territory.
That, alas, is a problem that will take much more than police intervention to solve.
Three decades nurturing Northern artistsYellowknifer - Wednesday, August 19, 2015
The North is known as a haven for artists and for many years the NWT Arts Council has been giving them support to pursue their dreams and build the territory's creative identity.
The council is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a lineup of events, including film screenings, live performances and presentations highlighting the hundreds of artists it has helped over the years. ŠIt does more than give money so artists can fund their projects, books or films. It provides encouragement to help them realize their goals. This is a different scenario from other arts councils around the country that only fund full-time artists. ŠThis council has empowered writers, such as Annelies Pool, who received funding to produce her first book, Iceberg Tea, and is now working on another. She praised the mentorship she received, funded by the council, for helping to launch her writing career.
The community supports artists through their patronage but the NWT Arts Council is crucial in helping connect artists to their audience, giving them that added push to get their work from concept to the public. Art is sometimes overlooked as a frivolous endeavour but it is a reflection of a community's attitude toward itself.
Without art, there is no expression of identity.
The territory has an international reputation for its rich creative culture and the NWT Arts Council is helping not only keep it alive but flourishing.
Musical legacy suffers from ill-informed opinionEditorial Comment by Darrell Greer
Kivalliq News - Wednesday, August 19, 2015
Well, vacation has come and gone and I find myself back in the saddle to begin another working year at the helm of Kivalliq News.
It's good to be home in Rankin, just a couple of short months away from the start of another awesome season of Kivalliq hockey.
At the risk of offending sun worshippers, I can't wait to drop the puck and see the stories-on-ice unfold.
I just hope these old knees are up for the challenge.
I'd like to thank my friend, Michele LeTourneau of Iqaluit, for the great job she did here while I chased my grandkids around Port Morien, Nova Scotia (in Cape Breton, of course), spent an awesome week with my daughter, Lindsey, and had a blast with my mom and closest friends.
So, thanks Michele!
I'd also like to thank everyone for the messages I received -- both favourable and unfavourable -- on an opinion piece I did on the Beatles.
The craziness that always accompanies the final few weeks before vacation prevented me from responding to your thoughts -- until now.
The Beatles are still discussed a lot in the Kivalliq, and their music, for the most part, remains popular 45 years after the group disbanded.
However, there are many Kivalliqmiut who claim not to like the most influential band in the history of popular music.
The problem, as I understand it, is many of these folks cannot separate the Beatles political stances from their musical contributions.
This is especially true when it comes to Sir James Paul McCartney and his opinions on seal hunting.
McCartney earned the wrath of many Northerners when he, once again, called for an end to the commercial seal hunt in Canada this past June.
The former Beatle will also long be remembered for the photos he staged on the ice floes of the Gulf of St. Lawrence in 2006 to call for an end to the hunt.
And more than a few will chuckle for years over McCartney's faux pas in thinking he was in Newfoundland while being interviewed in Charlottetown, P.E.I.
But, the thing is, while we here in the North know many of Sir Paul's contentions are based on false information, we are also pretty quick to point out we love living in a free and democratic society in Canada.
And, one of the perks to that quality of life is being able to exercise our right to free speech and openly voice our opinion (you get that Prime Minister Stephen Harper?).
McCartney, a vegetarian, has the same right to voice his opposition to the killing of any animal, whether we agree with him or not.
And, for the record, I do not agree with him, yet I remain a Beatles fanatic when it comes to their music.
And there's the rub.
Too often people place importance on, or give credence to, a celebrity's opinion simply because they are a celebrity.
Then we tend to judge, or change our opinion, on their talents because we agree, or disagree, with what they say.
In McCartney's case, the impact of his political views compared to that of his music are light years apart.
And, when it comes to all the hubbub when he decides to become outspoken on an issue, his musical legacy would be a lot better off if both he, and those of us who know better, would just let it be.
