The more the merrierNorthwest Territories/News North - Monday, September 7, 2015
It's still more than a month before the writ drops for the territorial election but the Nahendeh riding is already turning out to be a hot contest.
Incumbent Kevin Menicoche has announced his intention to keep his seat but it looks like he'll have to fight former CKLB radio director Deneze Nakhek'o and artist and reality television star Randy Sibbeston for it.
Here's hoping more people come out of the woodwork to challenge the incumbents. On election day four years ago, voters in three ridings didn't get the chance to vote because nobody challenged the incumbents.
Inuvik Twin Lakes' Robert C. McLeod, Tom Beaulieu in the Tu Nedhe riding and Premier Bob McLeod in Yellowknife South were all acclaimed in the 2011 election.
This trio didn't have to campaign to keep their seats, which means they didn't really have to defend their record in public service or test their platforms with the electorate. On election night, they didn't wait with bated breath, surrounded by friends, family and supporters in their campaign offices for the final votes to be tallied. They were ushered in, no questions asked.
Four years ago, when McLeod was chosen by MLAs to be the territory's premier, News/North reported he was the third acclaimed MLA in a row to have reached the premiership, after Floyd Roland and Joe Handley. This means voters haven't played any role in choosing the last three premiers. And it could happen again if nobody comes out of the woodwork to challenge McLeod in Yellowknife South again and is successful in his repeat bid for premier.
In fact, then-NWT chief electoral officer David Brock remarked in his post-election report that the 2011 election saw the lowest number of candidates since the division of the territory in 1999. Voter turnout also dropped between 2007 and 2011, with only 48 per cent of voters bothering to head to the polls.
The three uncontested ridings in the 2011 election did see competition four years prior, although three other ridings acclaimed their MLAs in 2007. That year, Norman Yakeleya was acclaimed in the Sahtu, Michael McLeod in the Deh Cho and Floyd Roland in Inuvik Boot Lake. In contrast, Inuvik Twin Lakes saw competition with Robert C. McLeod earning 306 votes against Denise Kurszewski's 261 votes. Tu Nedhe was a busy riding, with five candidates in the running. Tom Beaulieu earned his spot that year with 252 out of 477 total votes. Yellowknife South also saw some action in 2007, with Bob McLeod coming out ahead of Amy Hacala and Garett Cochrane.
There is still plenty of time until Oct. 26, when the writ drops.
A healthy democracy relies on healthy competition and an engaged electorate, so let's hope this fall's election delivers.
Potential leaders need to offer food solutionsNunavut/News North - Monday, September 7, 2015
Despite numerous calls for relief from the high price of food in Nunavut, evidence presented last week shows that the situation is only getting worse.
In fact, at least two communities, Kimmirut and Kugaaruk, have seen the cost of groceries increase by 16.2 per cent and 17.2 per cent respectively between March this year and March 2014, based on a basket of 24 selected food items. The new reports from the Nunavut Bureau of Statistics are a result of food price surveys collected by government liaison officers and include staples such as two litres of two-per-cent milk, margarine, a dozen eggs, potatoes, carrots, bananas, a can of baked beans, ground beef, bread, frozen pizza, instant rice and white flour. On average, the price of the 24 food items increased by 5.1 per cent across Nunavut.
The director of business development for the NorthWest Company, which operates NorthMart and Northern stores in many Nunavut communities and receives subsidies for the cost of shipping healthy food, said price tracking by the federal government's Nutrition North program has shown a decrease in the cost of fresh food products over the past four years.
There are variables that explain the discrepancy, related to the sample size, how long numbers have been compiled and which products are tracked.
Significant changes were supposed to be coming to the Nutrition North program to allow consumers to see the profit margin for the retailer on specific items and a review of community eligibility requirements.
So far, the only change we've seen is that savings on products to consumers attributed to Nutrition North are shown on receipts printed by the till at the grocery store checkout.
Much more needs to happen to reverse a dismal trend in food security numbers and actually help Nunavummiut eat healthy, affordable food.
The Household Food Insecurity In Canada report, prepared by an international, interdisciplinary team of researchers to identify policy options to reduce food insecurity, concluded that the rate of insecurity in Nunavut households was 45.2 per cent in 2012.
Not much has changed. Relief is needed across the board. The cost of food eats up a disproportionately large percentage of a family's household income. Many people go without food, particularly adults, who make sure the children are fed first.
All we've seen is a tiny step toward transparency and little else.
Strong leadership is required for real solutions to Nunavut's food crisis. This is a basic needs issue that deserves the utmost attention. Let's ask the four candidates in Nunavut who are seeking votes in the Oct. 19 federal election what they would do if elected.
Right time for power push Weekend Yellowknifer - Friday, September 4, 2015
All cynicism aside, given that MLAs are facing re-election this fall, the territorial government understandably feels it has no choice but to pay the bill for the extra diesel required due to our failing hydro system in the North Slave.
The alternative is a nightmare scenario of already overburdened NWT homeowners paying an extra $30 to $100 a month every year the drought continues. With the GNWT unable to reverse the territory's declining population numbers, down 1.1 per cent over last year, the costs will only get higher the longer Snare Hydro and Bluefish Dam are unable to produce adequate power.
Thus in one year, the GNWT will have spent nearly $50 million shielding residents from skyrocketing power costs, which are already far higher on average than what southern customers have to pay.
This is obviously a very bleak situation, one requiring a substantial remedy if the territory is to have any hope of bringing the NWT's already high cost of living to somewhat tolerable levels.
Alas, all that has occurred since Michael Miltenberger, the minister responsible for NWT Power Corporation, hosted an energy charette last fall, is a questionable attempt by power corp. to cut out the middle man in Hay River - Northland Utilities - which distributes the power there.
Much more needs to be done with much greater urgency. Wednesday's news release announcing the GNWT's commitment to provide an additional $29.7 million on top of the $20 million borrowed last year to subsidize power consumers contains airy pronouncements about embarking on a "resiliency study" for wind and solar farms.
Recent drought issues aside, unreliable windmills and solar panels simply do not have the potential hydro has in a Northwest Territories crisscrossed by several major rivers. Water levels on the Taltson River, which currently has a dam capable of producing 18 megawatts of power, has not been affected by more severe drought conditions north of Great Slave Lake.
Last year, Miltenberger announced the GNWT was dropping plans to tie the Taltson and Snare systems with the power grid in Saskatchewan and a northern spur to the diamond mines after the price tag came in at $1.2 billion.
Conventional practice suggests large infrastructure projects such as hydro expansion are typically paid off over 50 years. If the GNWT was to contribute $25 million a year financing transmission and hydro generation infrastructure instead of covering diesel costs it would have that figure paid off in less that time.
This project will obviously require tremendous political will in the legislative assembly and outside help. Miltenberger said last year he doubted MLAs would support such an expense. The case must be made therefore -- as it has already been demonstrated by the GNWT's decision to cover the diesel expenses -- that the North Slave's energy woes is a problem that affects the entire territory.
Only a connection to the southern energy grid will stabilize the territory's energy costs, including in smaller communities which are subsidized by Yellowknife and other larger centres.
In his recent letter to the leaders of Canada's major political parties seeking to form the government after next month's general election, Premier Bob McLeod questions what they would do to reduce the NWT's high energy costs.
With polls showing a virtual tie, now is the time to put pressure on these leaders to help the territory with its energy burden.
If Canada is sincere about developing a prosperous North, helping it bring energy costs to manageable levels is the crucial step needed to make that happen.
Tremendous talents see sun at lastDeh Cho Drum - Thursday, September 3, 2015
More than a week after Fort Liard celebrated its first annual fall gathering, community members are still feeling the positive effects.
Camaraderie generated by a handgame tournament and the memory of great food and great company still linger.
The gathering brought in many people who got to see Fort Liard at its best and showcased true Northern hospitality.
Although Fort Liard is one of the bigger communities in the Deh Cho, it is still relatively small in the grand scheme of things. Yet its impact, traditionally and artistically, far outstrips its size. The talent that comes out of Fort Liard is incredible.
At a public meeting on Aug. 27, artist and community member Rose Reid brought up concerns to the government regarding the difficulty artists in remote communities have showcasing their work to the territory and country.
She said when opportunities arise in Yellowknife or Hay River, the cost for artists from Fort Liard to attend is often too high for them to manage, meaning they stay in their community and their work is not shown.
Rose is correct that more funding needs to be available for small artists. The NWT prides itself on the diversity of its economy but often seems to put the onus on individuals to succeed in their endeavours, where a helping hand could go a long way.
But as long as such funding is inaccessible, it is more important than ever for small communities to take these matters into their own hands, as Fort Liard did with the fall gathering. Aside from benefiting the region, the fall gathering gave local artists the opportunity to teach others. It also allowed out-of-towners to see the tremendous talent in Fort Liard.
That does much for the regional economy and the tourism industry.
The fall gathering itself was organized and facilitated by Hillary Deneron and a small group of volunteers, no small feat for a community that has not had similar events in recent memory.
Cooks and artists shared their skills freely. It was a weekend of teaching, learning and connecting for many.
Everyone who spoke to Deh Cho Drum said the event was wonderful and the food was magnificent. People travelled from B.C., Alberta, the Yukon and Yellowknife to attend and remarked often on the generosity of the community.
If more people work together in future years, the Deh Cho could truly have a great annual fall gathering on its hands, similar to the spring gathering that often takes place in Fort Simpson.
The benefits that could bring are vast, and may do more for budding and established artists than they would see from travelling to Yellowknife to show their work.
Prevention strategies difficult but essentialInuvik Drum - Thursday, September 3, 2015
It's no secret that legislation without resources is toothless at best. This sentiment was clearly articulated at a meeting last week to review the Mental Health Act, a bill set to replace the current act if approved in the legislative assembly.
While there was virtually no discussion of the specifics of the new bill -- barring the glaring omission of specific attention to youth and children with mental health issues -- there was a lot of talk about the need for resources, programming and staff in communities.
The thing is, prevention will always be cheaper than a cure, if such a thing can even be said to exist in these cases. The trouble with prevention is that it is difficult to legislate.
Prevention means coming at the problem from a hundred angles, starting young, and following people for their entire lives. It means catching sadness before it can snowball into depression, and if it does, treating it before it gets to the point of suicide. Even better, it means instilling the capacity to turn to one another within communities when things get tough, increasing the chances of getting help exponentially.
Prevention strategies can take the form of anything from outdoor spaces to youth activities, and having safe people to turn to in places like schools. You never know what will make the difference, what will spark something in someone's mind which will make them seek help, or even accept it once it has been offered.
That's hard to legislate and even harder to implement. On the one hand, people complain that there isn't enough programming and on the other, organizers find it hard to keep funding coming in when no one -- or very few -- show up for that programming.
It goes further than encouraging people to turn up for activities. It's about consistency and the complete lack of it in so many non-profit organizations. Funding is allocated for specific programs, doled out every year, with only a small percentage available to keep the lights on and the heat working. There is no way to run a consistent, substantive service on that premise.
There is no way to keep staff when they may or may not have a salary after the next reporting period, and there is no way to build trust in communities when the programs and staff who are supposed to be helping are as ethereal as smoke.
Legislation is great, and clearly much needed after 30 years with virtually no updates, but it will not solve much if something isn't done a lot closer to the front line.
Lessons learned in the flamesYellowknifer - Wednesday, September 2, 2015
The wildfire season is drawing to a close.
Despite dire predictions of another smokey summer, this year's burn covered an area one fifth the size of last year's burn.
There are several reasons for this, says a representative from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
First, it got colder and wetter in August. Second, a lot of fuel was consumed in last year's burn. Third, this year fire crews took a more aggressive stance on fires that showed long-term potential for burning.
The first two factors are impossible to control, but the last one is different.
An even more aggressive stance might be what it takes to keep fires like the one on Reid Lake under control. In this instance, had the weather not been as co-operative as it was, the outcome may have been disastrous. Flames came within 100 to 200 metres of cabin-owner Maureen Tonge's property on the north side of the lake. That doesn't leave a lot of leeway for less co-operative weather.
Certainly, firefighters and their supervisors have a lot of tough choices in front of them. Spending more resources to control fires that may go out on their own leaves less available to fight fires that may threaten communities.
But with flames flickering so close to property, more pro-activity may have been called for.
And so it is left to firefighters to wonder what might have happened if the weather had been different and what they might have done to prevent such a close call.
As wildfire crews get to back to their regular off-season routines -- a department spokesperson said last week there were no crews battling fires -- we hope that they and their supervisors will ponder at length lessons learned on the field.
Thankfully, this season surpassed expectations.
The goal now should be how to do the same should even greater threatening conditions reignite next summer.
Budding eateries need your supportYellowknifer - Wednesday, September 2, 2015
The restaurant business is competitive in most communities.
Factor in an isolated city like Yellowknife, with only so many people to feed, long distances to deliver supplies, the high cost of living and the difficulties mount.
Two restaurants opened their doors a few weeks ago - Kilt and Castle and Twin Pine Diner - two very different establishments with equally different owners. Twin Pine is the culmination of veteran chef and Chopped Canada contestant Robin Wasicuna. Kilt and Castle is owned by first-time restauranteur Bob Stewart. Both reported glitches and problems in their first
weeks of operation.
Stewart said he ran out of a premium beer, food and had staffing issues.
Wasicuna also had staffing issues, which forced him to close for a week to re-launch.
Despite the problems, there is an upside: People are getting out to try these eateries and reporting on the good and bad.
People reluctant to walk into a new establishment still rely on the opinions of others, whether through word of mouth and increasingly more from online. One bad experience, especially a first-time, can colour a person's permanent impression.
However, we ask that people keep an open mind. There are always a few bugs in the system when a business opens its doors. These eateries are a work in progress and need support. Restauranteurs are still members of this community and trying to establish a business that will eventually create jobs, pay taxes and eventually add to the cultural fabric.
Drop in and let them know what you liked and didn't like. Such comments should be appreciated and will hopefully help the business achieve success. It's all about the customers.
All bets off with AnawakEditorial Comment by Darrell Greer
Kivalliq News - Wednesday, September 2, 2015
Catchy hashtag aside while rolling out their candidate, the NDP have taken a huge risk in naming Jack Anawak as the party's choice in Nunavut for the Oct. 19 federal election.
Anawak was quick on his feet to make it known he voted NDP the first two times he cast a ballot in his life, but anyone who accepts that as proof he's a bona fide NDP believer simply hasn't been paying attention.
Anawak, despite what he may claim since accepting the NDP nomination, will forever be linked to the Liberal Party of Canada, and that encompasses his political past, present and, for all intents and purposes, his future.
Make no mistake about it, in accepting this nomination Anawak has not "come back home" to the NDP as he claims.
He has, in fact, left the Liberals and crossed the imaginary floor to the NDP for another shot at office.
The orange wave that has been doing its best to flood the political landscape and have Thomas Mulcair elected as our next prime minister has been built, for the most part and with a nod to the memory of Jack Layton, on young, forward-thinking candidates. I have been a supporter of Mr. Anawak in the past, and still contend he got a raw deal when voted out of cabinet in Nunavut in 2003.
That being said, he is up against an incumbent who has taken the art of milking a photo opp for everything it's worth to previously unscalable heights and a feisty Liberal candidate who is, arguably, the most astute politician and plugged-into-current-issues candidate in the field. The fact the Liberals knew this was their best chance to dethrone Leona Aglukkaq in years, and chose Hunter Tootoo as the candidate most likely to get the job done, speaks volumes to anyone who is listening.
While I tip my hat to Mr. Anawak for his past successes and applaud his spirit in agreeing to step up one more time, he is past his best-before date as a politician.
And, if the ongoing attempts to entice more Nunavut youth to vote are successful, the odds are very high that the vast majority of them will view him as part of the old guard and cast their ballot elsewhere.
I must, in good conscience, mention the fourth Nunavut candidate in the Green Party's Spencer Rocchi. As far as the Green Party's chances in Nunavut; let's just say stranger things have happened, but not many, and leave it at that.
Aglukkaq is hoping Nunavut's old political warhorse has enough shine left on him to split the vote looking for change and return her to Ottawa as Nunavut's MP.
And it's always a good move to study the table very carefully before deciding to bet against Anawak.
But this time out, we should be looking at a very tight two-candidate race between Aglukkaq and Tootoo.
Just how much the Nutrition North debacle has injured Aglukkaq, and how much ill will lingers over her handling of a contentious situation in Rankin Inlet, remains to be seen.
She has the ear of the best political gamesmanship artist in Canada in our prime minister, and she remains popular in a number of Nunavut corners despite her missteps of the past 18 months or so.
As for Anawak, he is one candidate who I wouldn't mind seeing prove me wrong, but I can't place my bet on his side of the table.
