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Friday, January 8, 2016
Computer failure closes post office
The Yellowknife post office reopened yesterday after closing for several hours Wednesday due to a computer malfunction. A handwritten sign on the locked door stated its computer systems were down and it was working to fix the problem while directing customers to the post office inside Shoppers Drug Mart. The post office did reopen later in the day Wednesday but with limited service.
- John McFadden
School evacuated
About 160 students and children in daycare at Ecole Allain St-Cyr were back yesterday after they were sent home Wednesday due to a malfunctioning boiler. A foul smell was first detected at about 7:30 a.m. Wednesday. A public works crew discovered the fuel fumes were coming from one of the school's two boilers. Students were sent home at about 9:15. The fire department deemed the air quality to be fine and students returned the next day although the faint odour could still be detected.
- John McFadden
Buffalo still grounded
A corrective action plan submitted by Buffalo Airways isn't sufficient for Transport Canada to allow the airline to resume its passenger and cargo flights.
"We continue to work with the company and, this week, we received additional information from Buffalo Airways on its proposed corrective actions, which we are currently reviewing," department spokesperson Amber Wonko wrote in an e-mail Thursday.
Buffalo's air operator certificate was suspended Nov. 30 because of a "poor safety record," the regulator stated.
- Shane Magee
Zine art deadline extended
Artists can show others what the North means to them through artwork, poetry or stories in a unique Yellowknife zine. Resident Vimala Jeevanandam is working on self-publishing Creatures of Yellowknife - a zine that focuses on Northern-inspired artwork. The deadline was originally set for Dec. 20 but has now been pushed back to some time later this month.
- Dana Bowen
Thursday, January 7, 2016
Fort Simpson byelection sees one nominee
At press time on Jan. 5, AJ Augier was the single nominee for the upcoming byelection in Fort Simpson.
Despite municipal elections being held Oct. 19, the resignation of re-elected councillor Larry Campbell triggered the village's byelection process days after polls closed.
Nominations opened Dec. 24 at 8:30 a.m. and will close Jan. 8 at 3 p.m.
The election itself will be held Feb. 4.
Less money from federal government for NWT
The Government of Canada announced in December its transfer payments to the Northwest Territories for the 2016-17 fiscal year will be cut by $34.2 million, bringing total payments for the year down to $1.26 billion.
On Dec. 22, Premier Bob McLeod issued a statement on the reduction, saying it is due to "methodological changes" in how Statistics Canada puts together local government expenditure data.
"(That) has produced the unintended consequence of permanently lowering each territory's Gross Expenditure Base over two per cent from what was previously expected," he stated.
Transfer payments are lumped under Territorial Formula Financing, the Canada Health Transfer and the Canada Social Transfer. The change McLeod referred to applies to the Territorial Formula Financing.
The territory has asked the federal government to re-instate the lost funds.
Chamber plans info session for contractors on procurement system
The departments of Finance and Public Works will be hosting an information afternoon in Fort Simpson on Jan. 26 for contractors who want to familiarize themselves with the territorial government's new online procurement system.
According to a notice from Fort Simpson's Chamber of Commerce, the session will introduce the new system to vendors and show them how to navigate it.
Changes to the system mean vendors can download and bid on tenders online and sign up for notifications when new opportunities become available.
Man found dead on ski trail
RCMP are reporting that a man was found dead Christmas Day on a ski trail.
Const. Kevin Devoe stated in a news release that police had responded to a call around 1:30 p.m. Dec. 25 after someone came upon the body. He said the RCMP is working with the Office of the Chief Coroner of the NWT as the investigation continues.
The death was not considered suspicious.
Homeless Shelter celebrates 12 days of Christmas
The Inuvik Homeless Shelter celebrated the season by giving back and kicking off what organizers hope will become an ongoing program.
Christina Kasook, who runs the shelter, said the initiative was meant to help residents keep on the straight and narrow over the holidays, which can be a hard time for them.
Over the course of 12 days, they played games, did crafts and made decorations for the facility.
Kasook said her favourite part was the acts of kindness portion of the program, in which residents baked treats and brought them to the fire hall to thank the volunteer department. They were well-received and appreciated.
"The fire chief was really surprised and thankful," she said. "It's a laugh, especially this time of year, it's hard for some of the residents."
Kasook said the initiative was something of a test-run for more programming in the future and was brainstormed by residents and staff together.
"I think we're going to be doing this ongoing," she said, though she wasn't sure what form the program would take. "This was a bit of a trial run, but I'd like to keep it going."
Inuvialuit Regional Corporation election called
The notice of election has gone out for the chairperson and chief executive officer of the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation with the date set for Jan. 25.
Nominations will open Jan. 4 at 9 a.m. and close at 5 p.m. Jan. 14. Anyone who is a member of a community corporation and is enrolled as a beneficiary of the Inuvialuit Trust under the Inuvialuit Final Agreement is eligible to run for office.
People looking for more information or for nomination forms may contact the Inuvik Community Corporation or returning officers Lauri Forcade and Kate Darling.
Nellie Cournoyea has served in that role since 1996.
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