32 NEWS/NORTH NWT, Monday, June 13, 2011 Business & Labour BUSINESS HOTLINE !" NICO mining assessment underway Tlicho Government bid to postpone environmental assessment thrown out by Thandiwe Vela missed an application from material and fuel to the site Northern News Services the Tlicho Government to and transport ore out. Both Whati/ halt environmental assess- access roads would be on Tli- The environmental assess- ment of the mining project. cho lands where there is cur- ment for Fortune Minerals' According to Justice L.A. rently a moratorium on land proposed NICO project Charbonneau's written deci- development due to ongoing just north of Whati is now sion, at issue is the construc- development of a land use underway after the success- tion of a 27-km all-season plan in accordance with the ful submission of the min- access road, which Fortune Tlicho Lands Protection Law. ing company's Development says the GNWT is planning After the Wek'eezhii Land Assessment Report (DAR) to to construct, connecting the and Water Board told Fortune the Mackenzie Valley Review Behchoko, Whati, and Gam- it was not eligible to apply for Board. eti communities with High- land use permits for activities The 3,000-page document way 3 to Yellowknife. on Tlicho lands without proof was officially submitted to The mining company also of right of access, the mining the review board in May, plans to build a year-round company applied for assess- after the Supreme Court of road from the new highway to ment of components inside the dis- the NICO project site to haul the NICO project's claim block, with plans to submit a separate application for its BUSINESS proposed all-weather road site at a later date. Briefs The application was by NNSL staff referred to the review board, which decided to include the e-mail: [email protected] impact of construction of the access road in addition to the impact of Fortune's eventual An easier way to start a business use of the new GNWT high- Liidlii Kue/ way for consideration in the A new online business permit available in Fort Simpson is initial environmental assess- creating an easier avenue for entrepreneurs to develop a busi- ment. ness in the community. The Tlicho Government BizPaL is a business permit and license service that cuts argued in Supreme Court the down paperwork and provides entrepreneurs with access to review board acted outside information on the permits and licences they need to establish its jurisdiction by refusing to and run their businesses. Currently, BizPaL is running in Fort postpone the environment- Smith and , as well. Eventually, all NWT residents al assessment until access will be able to use the system to assist with their businesses. issues, especially regarding "Small businesses in the NWT are the backbone of our the potential roads, were economy, and offer diversified employment across the terri- resolved. tory," said Minister Bob McLeod in a prepared statement. The review board argued Mayor of Fort Simpson Sean Whelly said in the community that "an indefinite postpone- ment of the (environment photo courtesy of Fortune Minerals of 1,250, there are more than 100 registered businesses and it's An aerial view of Fortune Minerals' NICO mine site, located 50 km north of important to assist both current and future residents to make the right decisions when planning their start-up. Please see Access, page 34 Whati. "BizPaL will be a great tool to promote business in Fort Simpson, by putting all the necessary regulatory and licens- ing information in one easy-to-access website," he stated in a press release. Interested entrepreneurs can acquire more information by visiting BizPaL's website. – Sarah Ferguson NWT gross domestic production increases NWT The gross domestic product for the NWT rose by 5.8 per cent in 2010, the third highest increase in Canada, according to the NWT Bureau of Statistics. GDP increased for all provinces and territories last year, with Nunavut and Newfoundland see- ing the greatest increases. Nationally, GDP rose by 3.3 per cent between 2009 and 2010. The GDP is the market value of goods and services produced in a given timeframe. – Thandiwe Vela Braden-Burry Expediting expands to the Kivalliq Kivalliq Kivalliq customers who use Braden-Burry Expediting for their shipping needs will now have an easier time accessing services in both English and Inuktitut. Last week, the company announced the expansion of its freight consolidation services to the Kivalliq region with the creation of a toll-free number. According to a press release issued by BBE, the new service will make it easier for Kival- liq customers to organize the shipment of goods by providing them a direct link to the Arctic Sealift Centre. Dominique Napayok, who is originally from Whale cove, will be answering the centre's calls. – NNSL staff 34 NEWS/NORTH NWT, Monday, June 13, 2011 business & labour

TRENDS AT A GLANCE – past 13 weeks

Bank rate Prime rate 1.10 3.25

1.05 3.00

1.00

2.75 0.95 BANK RATE 0.9966% PRIME RATE 3.00% 0.90 2.50 Wk1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Wk1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Mortgage - five-year closed Dollar - $CDN vs $US 5.7 1.10

5.6 1.05

5.5 1.00

5.4 0.95

5.3 0.90 5.2 MORTGAGE 5.49% 0.85 DOLLAR US$1.0238 5.1 0.80 Wk1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Wk1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Gold - $US per ounce Oil - $US per barrel 1600 140

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120 1400 110 1300 100 photo courtesy of Steve Freake 1200 Canoe North Adventures is hosting a Sahtu Celebration in on July 23, to pro- GOLD (LONDON) $1541 90 BRENT CRUDE OIL US$118.20 1100 80 mote the Sahtu wilderness, like the scene pictured above. Wk1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Wk1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Celebrating the Sahtu wilderness Festivities in Norman Wells to highlight efforts in promoting the region

by Sarah Ferguson The celebration is to highlight July 23 will also mark the grand days and covers approximately 200 Pace and Ward are also making Northern News Services a collaborative effort to promote opening of the Sahtu Aviation miles (of river)" Ward said. an effort to promote hiking tours of Lli Goline/Norman Wells the region, between Canoe North Museum at the new float base. "Every river in the area has a the Sahtu wilderness and said the Al Pace, Lin Ward and their son Adventures; North-Wright Airways, "Years ago we made a stand character, ranging from the gentle Canol Heritage Trail is one of the Taylor have a passion for sharing the Department of Industry, Tour- on the branding of the Sahtu (as a waters of the Keele (River) to the best hiking trips a Northern explorer one of the North's best kept secrets ism and Investment and its subdiv- tourism area) and the movement has more intense Mountain River, but can take. – its rivers. ision for the Sahtu; NWT Tourism; taken on a life of its own. Now there there is definitely something in the "The Canol (Trail) has so much Through their family-run busi- and Sahtu Parks and Tourism. is a collaborative effort to make the Northern wilderness for everyone," history behind it and has some of ness, Canoe North Adventures – Pace and Ward said Canoe North Sahtu an official tourist destination she said. the most amazing hiking trails you based in Norman Wells during the has teamed up with North-Wright and we owe a lot to that collabora- Ward also says that Canoe North will find in the North," Ward said. summer months and near Orange- Airways, owned by Warren and tion," Ward said. Adventures has many repeat cus- The trail, which runs from the ville Ont., during the winter – they Carolyn Wright of Norman Wells, tomers. edge of the to Norman Wells, are offering what Ward and Pace to transport customers by floatplane 30 years of exploration "One in three come back to do was built during Second World War call "life-altering canoe and hiking to the Norman Wells area. Ward said her family first came another canoe trip – 40 per cent of to accommodate an oil pipeline. experiences." According to Canoe North to Norman Wells in 2000, but adds our adventurers are alumni, and the "It's a very historical place, and is On July 23, Canoe North Adven- Adventure's website, North-Wright they have been exploring the Can- majority of our customers are Can- extremely beautiful to hike in," she tures will help host a celebration Airways began a major infrastructure adian North for close to 30 years. adian, though we have had people said. "It's wonderful that people's of the Sahtu region, which will project three years ago to construct an "We also do expeditions in the from England and New Zealand eyes are starting to turn towards the highlight the beauty of the wilder- elaborate float base to increase Yukon, but we really love the NWT come here too," she said. North. It has so much to offer." ness and showcase its potential as a access to the rivers and hiking trails most of all – the people here are so Northern tourism gateway. of the Sahtu for wilderness exped- helpful and supportive," she said. The event will also highlight itions. Ward says there are 10 river the outfitting design capabilities According to the website, the cost systems accessible from Norman required to support canoe and hik- of the project so far has amounted to Wells, and Canoe North has trips for New Arviat ing expeditions in the region, and $1.7 million dollars and will likely novices as well as more advanced Ward says Canoe North Adventures rise to more than $2 million during paddlers. is proud to be part of the festivities. the next two years. "Our typical package lasts 12 taxi company Access road is included Joe's Taxi Service started in May by Jeanne Gagnon keeps the business going. Northern News Services Joe's Taxi Service is one of two NICO, from page 32 about $128 million per year to the NWT Gross Domes- Arviat taxi companies in Arviat, the other tic Product over the site's 18-year mine life. Arviat residents looking for a being Anthony's Taxi. assessment) would be unfair to Fortune." John B. Zoe, Tlicho senior adviser, said the Tlicho ride home from the grocery store or "Challenges are keeping the Charbonneau found that the Review Board's deci- Government will be meeting this week to review the the airport have a new option since customers happy and it's hard to sion to include the impact of the roads in the environ- court's decision. Joe's Taxi Service started in early keep everyone happy," said Isha- mental assessment was within its jurisdiction and dis- "The Chiefs need to assess it and consider the next May. look. "When we get busy days, then missed the Tlicho Government's application to halt the steps, if any," Zoe said, adding the government does Owner Joe Ishalook and another someone will wait a little longer to assessment, clearing the way for Fortune's submission not have an issue with Fortune Minerals but with the driver are offering taxi rides for get to the next customer." of its report. authorities the board is taking. five dollars per per- Arviat Mayor Bob The mining company has been col- "There's a precedent that is going to be son for a ride in either Leonard said he has lecting environmental data for the pro- "There's a set in whatever we do with Fortune in the a four-door vehicle yet to ride in one of posed gold-cobalt-bismuth-copper mine area that they are in," Zoe said. "Whatever or a 15-passenger Ishalook's taxis but he from the region since 1998, said Julian precedent process that's existing now and being used van. "It's slow but said the vehicles are in Kemp, chief financial officer for Fortune that is going is being defined as they go along. "What He said they make good shape. Minerals. With the submission of the we are doing is to ensure the process is about $150 a day, steady." "The service is very report, the company is hoping to begin to be set." right and appropriate and proper." excluding tips. welcome," he said. construction at the site within the next The mining company is planning a "In the fall, it should "Taxi businesses tend two years. "significant amount" of public consulta- pick up. It's steady to have a struggle here "It's taken significantly longer to get tion and continued relationship building right now. It's slow but in this community. So, into production than we ever thought it would," Kemp with the Tlicho Government as the permitting process steady," he said. we've had sporadic service, I guess, said, adding it's difficult to get stakeholders to partici- continues, Kemp said. Ishalook was in the taxi business for some time so a new service is pate with the publicly-traded company's project without "We are looking forward to working with the Tlicho from 2001 to 2004 before taking always welcome." a sound time line. "Shareholders expect you to get pro- Government and people and the other stakeholders and some time off. He added he is unsure of the jects done in timely manner." regulatory agencies," he said. "We'd like to develop a "I am happy I have restarted the issue explaining why taxi services The estimated 31-million-tonne deposit is located project everybody could be proud of." taxi (business) and I have customers tend to struggle in Arviat. 50 km north of Whati and holds approximately one Bismuth is mixed with other metals and used in that are saying 'welcome back,'" he "We often go with no taxi service million ounces of gold, Kemp said. electrical fuses as well as fire detection and sprinkler said. and then we may have too much "It's not a small operation, it's a world-class deposit," systems. Bismuth carbonate is effective in countering He added he is thankful to the taxi service. It sort of goes back and he said, adding the NICO project would contribute gastric ulcers and diarrhea customers as they are the one that forth," said Leonard.