Out of the frying pan and into the Arctic Weekend Yellowknifer - Friday, November 27, 2015
Many prominent figures in Yellowknife, including a number of city councillors, have stood up recently and expressed their support for the Syrian refugee initiative, saying the welcome wagon should not stop at the 60th parallel.
It's not just about having big hearts, so goes the present narrative, but putting together a project that would help boost the territory's stagnant population.
These are laudable gestures. What's lacking to date are concrete plans on how to accommodate them, especially in a place already struggling with housing shortages and homelessness.
For starters, bringing in 2,000 people, as some have suggested as a means of reaching the territorial government's population growth goal by 2019, is simply not realistic. The territory simply doesn't have enough housing - or jobs to support them.
With mines slowing production and the majority of available jobs in government, what opportunities will be available for these newcomers? Funding for English-language classes and workplace training would be required. None of this would be ready to meet the federal government's February deadline.
Typically in instances of humanitarian aid a non-profit organization such as the YMCA or Red Cross, comes forward to provide shelter, food and health-care services to incoming refugee families. As a jurisdiction, Yellowknife is mostly without these type of supports. Would the Salvation Army, Tree of Peace Friendship Centre or Aurora College open their doors to accept newcomers or would our already over-booked hotels provide rooms?
Without a proper plan in place, these refugees will become more of a burden than an asset, even with their $35,000 ticket value toward federal per capita funding to the GNWT. While growing in diversity, Yellowknife lacks the type of cultural variety offered in larger centres such as Vancouver, Edmonton and Toronto. Even if it were to extend an invitation to refugees, how many would accept?
In reality, can Yellowknife absorb more than a couple dozen to start? That's a more realistic figure for a city our size. Given time, as these former refugees become more capable and established, they themselves will be able to support more family members to come, and thus their population will grow over time as other refugee groups have before them.
Much of the talk around the issue has involved security concerns while all other considerations are seemingly forgotten. If Yellowknife wants to position itself as a welcoming spot for refugees, steps need to be taken to ensure there is shelter, jobs and social support for them when they get here.
The last thing the city or the refugees themselves need is 2,000 people standing on the tarmac in February saying, "now what?"
No money to shareDeh Cho Drum - Thursday, November 26, 2015
For quite some time now, Fort Simpson's village council has operated with the stipulation that it only provides gifts to two initiatives per year: Christmas hampers in December and graduation gifts for TSS students in the summer.
There are no line items in place in the budget to provide money to other initiatives, such as requests for donations from nonprofit community groups.
When residents plan sports tournaments or fundraisers, the message the village has sent is loud and clear: 'Don't come to us asking for money.'
On Nov. 16, the tune changed slightly.
A Movember donation request had council considering -- and ultimately agreeing to -- donating a physical item to be auctioned off at an event.
SAO Beth Jumbo said the village has done this before.
But while some may argue there is a fine line between donating an item and donating money, the fact of the matter is that line simply does not exist.
A village asset is still being given away for a good cause.
The item donation came on the heels of councillors refusing a request from former mayor Sean Whelly to have public works staff currently replacing curb stops throughout the village dig a little further and unearth a frozen water line to Allen Bonnetrouge's house.
Over the past month, community members and businesses have rallied together in a mighty effort to fix up Bonnetrouge's house. Bonnetrouge is well-known for providing shelter and hot meal to those who have nowhere else to go. However, his water line has been frozen for years, meaning his house has no running water.
As residents are responsible for assuming costs associated with frozen lines, the village ultimately refused to unearth the line -- stating it would set a precedent.
They then went ahead and set that very precedent by agreeing to donate an item to a fundraiser.
Arguably, Whelly was not asking for a monetary donation but also for a physical item -- that is, a few hours of village workers' time.
Councillors have made it clear they will not allow exceptions to the no-funding rule. Community members in need are on their own.
No consideration is given to the situation of individual residents.
If the village is going to take an all-or-nothing approach, perhaps they should establish a small bit of money to be allocated to funding projects that meet certain criteria.
Or perhaps the village should simply make an exception when extraordinary circumstances call for it -- as they have done in the past with issues such as property tax relief -- and help out a community member in need.
Either way would be better than the arbitrary donation system they currently seem to employ.
Advantages of electing two incumbent MLAsInuvik Drum - Thursday, November 26, 2015
While much of the territory voted for change in the Nov. 23 election, Inuvik voters chose instead to stick with who they know.
Alfred Moses and Robert C. McLeod were both voted back in their electoral districts, beating out challengers Dez Loreen and Jimmy Kalinek, respectively. Neither race was anything that could be termed tight and voter turnout, by early accounts, was abysmal.
Incumbents generally do well when people don't get out to vote, but we suspect something else was at play here in Inuvik. People are clearly happy with their political representatives.
McLeod is a long-time fixture, having already served three terms in the legislative assembly. Moses is known as a popular and active member after his first term in office.
While Inuvik continues to struggle with issues ranging from gas prices to treatment for those suffering from mental health problems, the blame for stagnation doesn't seem to have fallen on the two men representing the community in Yellowknife.
Both say they have worked hard to bring the needs of the community forward and both have committed to putting their names forward to be cabinet ministers.
While of course it would be a coup in some ways for Inuvik to have two sitting cabinet ministers as MLAs, there is also value in having representatives standing outside cabinet, better able to criticize and hold executive council accountable. For instance, outgoing Minister Dave Ramsay served as a popular MLA, known for critiquing cabinet before he joined it, and lost his seat this time around.
It's certainly a tough balance between getting things done and making sure to hold those above them responsible and accountable, but that's exactly what Moses and McLeod were elected to do, once again.
While both Loreen and Kalinek expressed their disappointment in their losses, the parting message from the two challengers was that they hoped their experiences would encourage others to step forward.
That in itself is a happy outcome. All elections should be just that.
Acclamations are in many ways a failure of the democratic process. Kalinek put it best this week when he said everyone deserves a choice, so we thank all the candidates for stepping up to the plate and putting their names forward. The assault of questions and demands from both the media and the public at large that defines campaigning isn't an easy thing to handle.
For those who won, we hope that bombardment doesn't end here. It's so important to stay involved in the process of government when it is actually going about its business and not only when something as exciting and flashy as an election is on.
Power of changeYellowknifer - Wednesday, November 25, 2015
The winds of change are coming from Monday's territorial election, hopefully strong enough to blow off a few hats.
A fresh emphasis on social and environmental issues comes with Julie Green, Caroline Cochrane-Johnson and Kevin O'Reilly.
Kieron Testart appears to offer up some new ideas, like attaching price tags to government initiatives, while Cory Vanthuyne seems to favour the middle road of fiscal management in tackling land claims, and social and environmental regulation.
Glenn Abernethy is back, as is Bob McLeod, two cabinet veterans who can provide some reference point for the policy changes to come.
But will Yellowknifers see real change?
What about the new MLAs who campaigned on government transparency? Will their commitment fade as those elevated to cabinet clam up entirely?
Will new regular MLAs buy into the unwritten law that any information cabinet shares must be kept from the public unless permission is given?
This is the dark side of consensus government, an undemocratic, unparliamentary perversion that puts the manipulative practices of the bureaucracy ahead of the people's right to know, always a recipe for flawed governance.
The assembly's royal velvet curtains will be drawn in the election of a premier and a cabinet which should be public if we are to believe that consensus invites open votes. No rules prevent it.
We can only hope our new MLAs will hold onto the transparency values they so recently offered up to voters. They can start by asking questions about the new hospital.
What began as a renovation project with a budget somewhat larger than the $200-million Deh Cho Bridge, suddenly ballooned into a $350-million construction project. Why? Was the medical community consulted? Who made the decision? Did MLAs know when they gave the green light how much was it going to cost? What's wrong with the present hospital? How will such a huge health expenditure affect other health-care and social services programs?
With our resource industry on hold, how the GNWT spends its federal money will directly affect services. The last government had no qualms spending millions on political priorities like roads to Tuktoyuktuk and subsidizing power while launching junior kindergarten education programs with no money.
The power of change lies in the hands of our new MLAs. Will they use it?
Geoscience forum keeps lights onYellowknifer - Wednesday, November 25, 2015
Exploration may be in a slump but there is still plenty of interest in the territory's mineral resources judging by the high turnout at the annual Yellowknife Geoscience Forum.
Organizers say more than 750 people registered for the four-day event who are coming from all over the territory, Nunavut, the Yukon and even Ottawa and Vancouver. More than 125 presenters are discussing a variety of key topics this week, including diamonds, Northern petroleum and community engagement.
This is also an opportunity for city businesses to advertise their services if and when mining companies pursue a project here, with 95 of them setting up displays at the Multiplex arena. As well, there was a lecture at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre on the search for the Franklin Expedition and even Capitol Theatre served as a venue.
There is no doubt the forum is a major annual highlight for the city as a whole, for prospectors to businesses that provide everything from food and fuel delivery to medical services.
Markets go up and down all the time but the North's mineral riches will still be there. There is a literal wealth of resources and with so many experts eager to come to the city to trade information and ideas, it bodes well for the future of Yellowknife and the territory.
High interest in this forum shows the territory and city are still open for business and industry still considers Yellowknife the gateway to mining resources in the North as well as the home for many of the services future companies will need to use when conditions are right again.
A call to action in ArviatEditorial Comment by Darrell Greer
Kivalliq News - Wednesday, November 25, 2015
There are many things a person may have a valid excuse for, but, if we're being honest with ourselves, not ensuring your child attends school is not one of them!
It doesn't matter the colour of your skin, your culture, or the language you speak, ensuring your kids have access to a proper education should be a top priority to every parent with a school-aged child.
It's time to dump the hollow excuses.
John Arnalukjuak High School (JAHS) principal Judy Connor was right in her decision to deregister 42 students with an average attendance of 40 per cent or lower for the remainder of the fall semester earlier this month.
The time off will give the students, and their parents or guardians, time to think about what a good education means in today's world.
Hopefully, they will have a revelation between now and when the deregistered students will be allowed to reregister for classes in January.
I also give full marks to the JAHS students who were brave enough to ignore the Kivalliq taboo of speaking up and voicing their opinions by stating the move was a right one by principal Connor.
It isn't fair to students who attend school regularly, and who are trying their best to maintain a solid grade average, when their teacher's time is constantly taken from them so they can try and help low-attenders keep up with their class work.
Ditto, as well, to the Arviat District Education Authority (DEA) for having Connor's back and supporting the initiative.
All too often in the Kivalliq, DEA members are at odds with educators when it comes to the importance of academia, especially when it comes to cultural issues versus reading, writing and arithmetic.
But attending school regularly is not a cultural issue. It is a parenting issue.
Sporadically, we hear a number of Kivalliqmiut, who have the best interests of our region's youth at heart, point to good parenting as a precious key in allowing our children to grow up to be the best people they can be.
And doing everything you can to give your child a nurturing environment, including instilling an acceptance within them on the importance of education, is part and parcel of good parenting.
The Government of Nunavut has already cut 12.5 teaching positions in Arviat due to low attendance, and both JAHS staff and local DEA members have gone above and beyond the call of duty in trying to encourage better attendance from their community's youth.
So this can hardly be called a knee-jerk reaction by anyone.
Overall attendance in Arviat is nearing 10 per cent less than what is the norm in communities across Nunavut.
And, with less than 100 students combined attending Grade 11 and Grade 12 in the community, the time for excuses is long past.
Far from an attempt at burying other problems, deregistering students is, in many ways, a last-ditch effort in issuing the loudest of wake-up calls to a community.
A healthy community requires parents, teachers, students and administrators working together to create a healthy school environment.
And, when one link decides to not do its part, the chain falls apart.
JAHS has issued a call to action, but are the right people willing to listen?
Treatment centre only one piece of the puzzleNorthwest Territories/News North - Monday, November 23, 2015
Just over a month ago, a Yellowknife man was sentenced to prison for the rape and murder of Lutsel K'e elder Yvonne Desjarlais in the downtown core of the territory's capital city.
David Harrison had invited Desjarlais to drink with him late on a December night in 2012. The two were holed up in the confines of a closed downtown restaurant when Desjarlais went to leave. She never made it home.
Alcohol played an obvious role in this tragedy, in that the perpetrator had been drinking when he committed his crime. In fact, alcohol or drugs are involved in this way in most of the assaults, suicides and murders in this territory.
Harrison also has fetal alcohol syndrome, which also came up as a factor in his lengthy, violent criminal record. Fetal alcohol syndrome (FASD) is a condition caused by exposure to alcohol while in the womb. FASD causes a spectrum of symptoms, which can include vulnerability to addiction.
Many with FASD won't end up with any tendency toward violence but many of the people who cycle through the justice system over and over again are struggling with it, whether or not they have been diagnosed. Chances are, they haven't been. Most people with FASD aren't diagnosed and live their lives just like anybody else - except without any extra support. This is a fact about the territory's population base few leaders directly address. Not offering support to people with FASD contributes to lower graduation rates, higher unemployment rates, higher incarceration rates and, of course, higher addiction rates.
In the wake of National Addictions Awareness Week as well as this week's territorial election, many are talking about the tragic consequences - such as the murder of Yvonne Desjarlais - alcohol and drug abuse have on society. To appreciate the complexity of the problem, consider how cyclical and complicated it is.
Many people struggle with addiction. They have children. These children see addictive behaviour at a young age and to them, that's normal. A lot of the time, this behaviour is accompanied by neglect or abuse. Children experience trauma at a young age. They learn to repeat it. The cycle starts anew. Fold FASD into the mix and the prospect of tackling addictions gets even more complicated. Then, fold in the fact many of those who struggle with addiction live in tiny, isolated communities and the complications are exacerbated further.
How can the territorial government reverse this trend? One solution has come up numerous times during the territorial election - a treatment centre. But this is no silver bullet. Even a well-staffed building with quality programming can only help people who are within that building.
Once discharged, a patient's healing has only just begun. He or she must return home. Home could be any of the NWT's far-flung communities where support levels are low, unemployment is high and old friends who still party are still waiting to party.
When the 18th legislative assembly sits down to start their new chapter of governance, they have the opportunity to approach the problem from a different angle. In fact, they have the opportunity to approach the problem from many angles, because a treatment centre may be an important piece of the addictions puzzle but it's only one piece.
Importing booze overtakes responsible drinking planNunavut/News North - Monday, November 23, 2015
There appears to be an unhealthy disconnect between the territorial government's approach to providing access to booze for its residents to purchase and the reality for those who consume alcoholic beverages in Nunavut and want to buy bottles for home consumption.
On one hand we see a territorial government pumping a half-million dollars from the current budget into a campaign to promote socially responsible drinking. Yet the current restrictions placed on consumers who wish to purchase beer, wine or spirits are so onerous, residents are reluctant to listen to a message from government after going through all the steps required to get a bottle.
As most adult residents know, to purchase booze in Nunavut for home consumption, one must purchase a permit from the territorial government, then wait anywhere from days to weeks for the order to arrive. Not only is there a waiting period, consumers are forced to pay the shipping costs, in a territory where air freight charges are among the highest in Canada, no matter where they live. Those in Iqaluit must order from the liquor warehouse in Rankin Inlet or from outside the territory. But if you live in Rankin Inlet, you have to order from the liquor warehouse in Iqaluit, or place an order from the south.
Logically, one would think a product would be supplied from the closest warehouse. However, there is a level playing field in the sense that the distance barrier experienced by residents of the two large centres is no different than what is faced by residents of the other 19 communities in Nunavut where alcohol is allowed.
The Nunavut Liquor Commission's system is so inconvenient, many people are finding it easier to get their booze from outside Nunavut. The commission sold $779,000 worth of import permits in 2014-15, its highest ever, and saw liquor sales by Rankin Inlet customers from the commission fall by 76 per cent over the past five years.
What's happening is people are buying millions of dollars worth of booze from the south each year. People in the Kivalliq region buy beer, wine and spirits from Manitoba, the Kitikmeot region buys from Alberta and the Baffin buys from Ontario and Manitoba like never before. The shipping cost is similar, the selection is better and orders are filled within a day or two.
Consumers have become accustomed to the process of buying alcohol from outside the territory. The result is problem drinkers have easier access to booze from family, friends, neighbours or bootleggers than ever before, contrary to the government's intention to restrict the availability of alcohol.
