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Newsbriefs: Wednesday, September 20, 2017
University opens research office in Yk
Wilfred Laurier University is setting up a research office in Yellowknife. The Waterloo-based institution will have a grand opening for its new digs in the W.H. Bromley Building downtown on Sept. 25. The office will expand the university's Cold Regions activities and be used by research associates, postdoctoral fellows, and visiting faculty and students whose studies involve the North.
- Sidney Cohen
Ndilo chief position unfilled
The community of Ndilo is without a chief nearly two weeks after a Sept. 7 election.
Ernest Betsina was scheduled to be sworn in on Sept. 14, but it was put on hold after an appeal from candidate Shirley Tsetta.
Under the YKDFN Election Code, any voter or candidate can appeal to the committee within five days of the election regarding perceived code violations, election conduct, or candidate qualifications.
Returning officer Phil Moon Son could not provide details about the appeal. He said the process should be resolved by the end of the week. The Sept. 7 election resulted in 205 votes for Ernest Betsina, 130 for Shirley Tsetta and 33 for Alex Beaulieu.
- Emelie Peacock
Dominion shareholders say yes to sale
Dominion Diamond Corporation shareholders approved the sale of the company to The Washington Companies yesterday for US$1.2 billion. Dominion operates Ekati mine and owns 40 per cent of Diavik mine. Northwest Acquisitions ULC, a Washington Companies affiliate, has agreed to purchase all issued and outstanding common shares for US$14.25 each. The Ontario Superior Court of Justice will have to approve the arrangement by Sept. 22.
- Jessica Davey-Quantick
Traffic delays in Hay River area today
Drivers heading to Hay River or further south today could face delays of up to several hours on Highways 1 and 2. According to a news release from the Department of Infrastructure, a large barge is being trucked from Edmonton and will affect highway traffic in both directions as well as on Mackenzie Dr., 104 St. and 104 Ave in Hay River, its final destination. Police and pilot vehicles will be travelling with the barge.
- John McFadden
Aglukark return a celebration
Rankin Inlet
The Kivalliq's own Juno Award-winning musical artist, Susan Aglukark, is returning to the region to give a motivational speaking and singing presentation of Canadian Inuit history next month.
Aglukark will take people on the journey of the Inuit over the past 1,000 years through songs and stories.The presentation will be held at Maani Ulujuk Ilinniarvik on Oct. 12, beginning at 1 p.m.
Good times ahead
Territories
A recently released territorial economic forecast paints a rosy picture for the nation's three territories in the coming months.
The forecast is distributed by the Conference Board of Canada on a quarterly basis.
In its most recent summer report, the board predicts the Nunavut economic outlook is positive, the Yukon's economy will strengthen (with improvement in metal prices), and the Northwest Territories will see economic growth thanks to new mining projects expected to go ahead in the next few years.
Letter of support
Kivalliq
The Kivalliq Chamber of Commerce has sent a letter of support to Churchill Mayor Mike Spence dealing with the ongoing shutdown of the Hudson Bay railway line into Churchill.
In the letter, chamber president John Main of Arviat writes: "Without the railway line in operation, a significant number of Kivalliq businesses are being affected negatively. We now know this from anecdotal accounts, but the data to back up these claims will become available as the railway line shutdown drags on."
For more on the chamber's support, please see the Sept. 27 edition of Kivalliq News.
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