Archie isolating $1.00 outside Publication mail Contract #40012157 Cabinet minister says she was on Inuvik flight with COVID-19 case 7 71605 00100 5

Online first at NNSL.com More Moderna doses on the way: GNWT Volume 50 Issue 11 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28, 2021 75 CENTS ($1 outside city)

Minister was on COVID-19 flight Diane Archie says she was sitting in an affected row identified by

Online first at NNSL.com More Moderna doses on the way: GNWT Volume 50 Issue 11 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28, 2021 75 CENTS ($1 outside city)

Dogs of spring

Sports We asked you

What is Pickleball, workplace you say? safety?

Simon Whitehouse/NNSL photo

$1.00 outside Yellowknife Publication mail Contract #40012157 "Had the Legislature intended to limit (the tenant's act) in this way, it would have expressly included this qualification." 7 71605 00100 5 – Justice Karan Shaner ruled the YWCA was justified in evicting a father after a series of complaints and a threat of arson, page 7. 4 yellowknifer, Wednesday, April 28, 2021 news Yellowknifer, Wednesday, April 28, 2021 5 Did we get it wrong? Yellowknifer is committed to getting facts and names fact file right. With that goes a commitment to acknowledge mistakes and run corrections. If you spot an error in Yel- nwt COVID-19 situation as of april 22 lowknifer, call 873-4031 and ask to speak to an editor, or email [email protected]. We'll get a correction or clarification in as soon as we can. Active cases: 3 Days since first confirmed case: 399 Confirmed cases: 81 Days since last confirmed case: 1 Recovered cases: 78 News Completed tests: 17,398 Vaccines Briefs Negative tests: 17,323 Scan for the First doses administered: 24,746 Pending tests: 126 latest GNWT Second doses administered: 16,471 Student party possible cause COVID-19 statistics of Yellowknife cluster Source: Office of the Chief Public Health Officer The person who tested positive for COVID-19 on April 22 may have attended a party with students from at least one school in Yellowknife. An anonymous source informed NNSL Media the party took place on April 17 and Premier won't comment that students from St. Patrick and Sir John Franklin high schools may have attended. In a statement released on April 23 through the legislative assembly, Tu Ned- hé-Wiilideh MLA Steve Norn, who said on MLA Norn's infection he tested positive for COVID-19 on April 21 and that a member of his family tested positive on April 22. Security wouldn't show legislature logbook to reporter Yellowknife Catholic Schools said in a tweet that the case was identified at École by Blair McBride to ensure appropriate communication mea- Another report by Cabin Radio stated that St. Patrick High School, and that the school Northern News Services sures are met." a contact of Norn or his family member would remain open. It is not yet known if But she didn't respond to inquiries as to had been identified at the Racquet Club was a student or a staff member who was whether Norn had been inside the build- on April 18. infected. The COVID-19 Secretariat can't confirm ing on April 17, who he interacted with or Asked if Norn would be investigated for Principals at each school have been con- if an investigation into alleged violations of whether anyone is currently self-isolating allegedly going out in public during his tacted but have not yet offered comments self-isolation rules by Tu Nedhé-Wiilideh after his visit. self-isolation period, COVID-19 Secretar- — nor has the COVID-19 Secretariat. MLA Steve Norn would happen. "The assembly will not comment further," iat spokesperson Darren Campbell said he It is believed they are collecting as many A report by Cabin Radio on April 23 she said. couldn't say if an investigation would start names as possible as to who attended the stated that Norn, who tested positive for A Yellowknifer reporter who asked to see "until it becomes part of the court process." party. COVID-19 on April 21 had entered the as- entries for April 17 in the assembly log book "Doing so would hinder a potential inves- – Blair McBride sembly building on April 17, one day before was refused by a security guard, who also tigation and/or breach privacy restrictions his isolation period was scheduled to end. stood in the doorway of the second set of under the Public Health Act," he said. Run for your mother As a result, one security guard was said to doors of the building blocking his access. All complaints received by ProtectNWT Active Yellowknifers can show mothers be isolating. Bonnell said the log book is not available are investigated, he added, and people want- they care by joining the Mother's Day Run Norn said in a statement on April 23 that for review and that the assembly building ing to make complaints are asked to call and Walk on Sunday, May 9. The event fea- he tested positive for COVID-19 after re- has been closed to the public because of the 811 in the NWT. Operators take complaints turing three, five and 10 kilometre distances turning from a trip to . A member COVID-19 pandemic. daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. is being organized by YK Multisport Club of his family also tested positive. Media are provided access to the public gal- Campbell didn't address questions about and Yellowknife True North Rotary. The An official at the legislative assembly of- lery when the assembly is in session, she said. whether a member of Norn's family had activity has open start times between 10 fered no comment on April 23 regarding "To maximize the health and safety of all attended a party with students from St. a.m. and 1 p.m. to comply with chief public questions that Tu Nedhé-Wiilideh MLA members and staff during the pandemic, we Patrick and Sir John Franklin high schools health officer regulations, and will start and Steve Norn entered the assembly building have been limiting building access to essen- on April 17. finish at Somba K'e Park. The route goes when he was supposed to be self-isolating. tial staff/personnel only. Media would not A principal from one of those schools was along the paved portion of Frame Lake Assembly spokesperson Nicole Bonnell otherwise be granted access to the building contacted but couldn't comment officially Trail. Registration is $20 and free for chil- said the legislative assembly has an exposure outside of session unless they had a meeting on the party. dren under 17 years of age. Event proceeds control plan and "works closely with the arranged or there was media availability Norn did not respond to repeated attempts will go towards the Yellowknife Women's Department of Health and Social Services scheduled," she added. to contact him before press deadline. Society. Door prizes are sponsored by Yel- lowknife Physiotherapy Sports and Rehab Clinic. Visit zone4.ca to register. – Blair McBride Cabinet minister isolating GNWT vape–out About 55 per cent of online respondents to a survey on vaping in the NWT oppose regulations that would limit flavoured va- pour product sales. after potential exposure That was one of the findings presented in a What We Heard report issued April 27 by Eric Bowling mote more spacing between travellers," wrote Dr. Kami Kandola by the Department of Health and Social Northern News Services in an April 27 press release. "The OCPHO is requesting anyone Services. seated in the affected rows at anytime during these flights to con- The report is the result of public engage- Deputy premier Diane Archie is in self-isolation, after being on tact public health." ment on the discussion paper Banning the the flight linked to a Covid-19 case in Inuvik. This brings the total number of rows affected to 12. Seven ex- Sale of Flavoured Vapour Products in the A statement released on April 27 shortly after 5 p.m posed on flight number 5T 244 from Edmonton , which was conducted explains the situation. to Yellowknife. Five more rows on the same flight in the final months of 2020. "Whenever there is a confirmed case of COVID- to Norman Wells and on to Inuvik are also under That group is concerned that reduced 19 in the Northwest Territories (NWT) or a public advisory. availability of vapour products could con- health risk, a Public Health Advisory (PHA) is issued There is no word on if the case is a variant of strain alternatives to cigarettes for people from the OCPHO to inform residents," said Archie. concern or not. aiming to quit smoking, lead to a loss of "Yesterday, one of these PHA's was issued that More vaccinations needed revenue for some small businesses and spur confirmed a new case of COVID-19 in Inuvik related Anyone who wants a Covid-19 test can phone increases in black market products. to out-of-territory travel. It also identified potential either (867) 490 – 2225 or (867) 777-7246. About 45 per cent of online respondents public exposure during a flight to Inuvik. Chief public health officer Dr. Kami Kandola support developing regulations to limit fla- "Unfortunately I was on that flight and was seated added in the original release that anyone who lives voured vapour products. in one of the affected rows, meaning I was potentially with someone in isolation has to self-isolate them- The 45 per cent cohort of respondents also exposed to COVID-19. As soon as I was aware of this selves. felt regulations should be established to keep I started self-isolating." Anyone entering the territory has to isolate for vapour products away from children and Archie said she has already received one test which 14 days. However, the GNWT recently relaxed the youth and that more factual information turned out negative. She will receive a second test on Diane Archie rules slightly. Fully vaccinated people can take the should be provided on the risk of vaping. Thursday to confirm the results. Covid-19 test after seven days. If they come up Most of the 54 written submissions sup- "I have also been told that there is no chance of Covid-19-free, they simply have to monitor and ported regulations to limit flavoured va- transmission to anyone I may have been in contact with since wear a mask during the remaining week. pour products, with five health and athletic returning to Inuvik, this past weekend," she wrote. Archie added she has confidence the procedures laid out by Dr. organizations calling for bans of vaping Row 13 added to list of exposed seats Kandola are working. She encouraged people to get their vaccina- products. Archie's announcement comes as the office of the Chief Public tion as soon as possible. Imperial Tobacco and one un- Health Officer released an update on a Covid-19 exposure on a "I also take comfort in the fact that though we still have a ways named NWT business are against bans of flight from Edmonton to Inuvik. to go in getting our NWT population vaccinated, that there are vapour products. Both tout the benefits Row 13 on the flight from Edmonton to Yellowknife is now on over 20,000 people across the NWT who have already received of vaping as an alternative to smoking the list of seats in the advisory. both doses and are fully immunized," she wrote. cigarettes. "The OCPHO has received new information that a plane change Book your Moderna vaccine by calling (867) 777-7246 or on – Blair McBride occurred at Edmonton International Airport, to potentially pro- the GNWT website. 6 yellowknifer, Wednesday, April 28, 2021 news 'We were prepared for this,' Kandola says of Yk 'cluster' It's not an outbreak because officials can trace the origin of each case

by Simon Whitehouse two-metre physical distance, same physical space such as a with testing and isolation tested positive on April 23. Kandola was asked why Northern News Services keeping to small groups, and shared car. directions to follow based Kandola said that notices people who have been iso- wearing masks in public. Contacts also have to be on the determined level of are being sent to parents lated aren't tested when Public health has been in "We must stop this cluster within two metres for 10 min- risk. with specific directions and they leave isolation. contact with 90 people in con- from becoming an outbreak utes or more, Pegg said. Kandola's conference reminders on how to navi- She said that the 14-day nection with the "cluster" of by asking individuals who She added that public con- followed a week last week gate self-isolation for their incubation period has been COVID-19 cases in the capital. may have been exposed to tact tracers have also "widened that saw a similar message teens or children. enough unless people show Chief public health officer stay home to prevent poten- the net" for a separate classifi- sent by her office on April "If you have not been symptoms of COVID-19. Dr. Kami Kandola said April tial spread," she said. cation of people asked to self- 26 and a reminder from the notified, you should go on "We don't test people 26 each of those cases has a "We need to contain (the) isolate who may have come in Office of the Premier of the your daily routine today as typically on day 14 in the clear chain of transmission, spread now to ward off close contact with active cases Northwest Territories for you did this time last week regional hubs," she said. meaning she doesn't think there COVID-19 and continue the but where the risk is not as residents to get vaccinated and the week before that "We follow the 14-day in- has been community infection. stability NWT has been ex- clear – such as in a restau- to protect the vulnerable, while following the public cubation period. It seems "With those five cases we are periencing for months now." rant, gym or gathering. especially those under 18. health guidelines we have sufficient if you have no looking at their contacts and Diane Archie, MLA for In- "Because of the nature of Last week, a confirmed stressed throughout the symptoms to be released isolating them," she said. "I uvik-Boot Lake and minister the potential exposure, it is case at St. Patrick High pandemic," she said. from isolation." have not declared an outbreak of Infrastructure, announced a little bit difficult to tell School led to several stu- According to the OCPHO, In smaller communities, in any location or advised any Tuesday that she was on a whether or not right off- dents and teachers, as well there are eight active cases however, she said people facility to shut down. I want to flight with an infected individ- the-bat there were actual as multiple other residents, of COVID-19 in the North- isolating do receive a test assure the public that we are ual and would be self-isolating contacts and that is when being asked to self-isolate. west Territories. Of those, on day 12 because there prepared for this … this means (see related story on page 3). exposure notifications come Steve Norn, MLA for Tu there are six in Yellowknife are is no wastewater sur- that we are communicating Dr. AnneMarie Pegg, ter- out," she said. Ned'he-Wiilideh declared he and two in Fort Smith. veillance. with everyone who needs to ritorial medical director ex- "It would be very pos- be notified." plained that a contact is "any- sible in that type of gath- But Kandola warned that one who has had interactions ering where some would people need to take personal with a person who has known have contact at closer than responsibility and follow COVID-19 infections… and two metres for more than public health guidelines if that puts them at a higher 10 minutes but it is a little the NWT is able to retain its risk of acquiring COVID-19 bit difficult to identify ex- low-count of cases compared themselves." actly who," she said. "So a to the rest of Canada. This Those people would likely call goes out for anyone in includes getting the available be in closer quarters with the that environment to come Moderna vaccine and schedul- COVID-19 case, which could forward." ing for the second dose, wash- include living in the same A detailed investigation ing hands frequently, keeping house or spending time in the then takes place, Pegg said,

Chief public health officer Dr. Kami Kandola said on Monday that the territory is prepared for the recent increase of active cases, including an infected individual who travelled on a flight from Edmonton to Inuvik via YZF. NNSL file photo news Yellowknifer, Wednesday, April 28, 2021 7 YWCA Supportive Housing exempt from key tenant act Family's eviction from home was permissible, judge rules

by Natalie Pressman Still, the man gained access by force Northern News Services and the RCMP had to remove him from the residence. The YWCA's Supportive Hous- He then filed a complaint with ing Program is exempt from the the rental office claiming improper Residential Tenancies Act, Justice eviction. Karan Shaner ruled in a court of The central issue of the complaint appeal decision last week. is whether the Residential Tenancies For that reason, the YWCA was Act (RTA) applies to transitional within its rights in evicting a man housing programs. and his daughters from their hous- The rental officer ruled that it ing unit when one of the man's does and that, like most landlord/ guests threatened to burn the build- tenant relationships, an eviction ing down. The court decision notes notice would have to be obtained the incident "appears to have fol- from the rental office for the evic- lowed on the heels of a series of tion to be permissible. complaints" about the tenant. Shaner found the rental officer's The decision, which overturns a decision to be "problematic for sev- former ruling from a rental officer, eral reasons." deals with a man housed in a unit The judge states that the rental that the YWCA leases under its officer came to her decision in con- Supportive Housing Program – a sidering exemptions from the RTA program aimed at families experi- including living accommodation encing, or in danger of, experienc- to "temporarily" shelter those in ing homelessness. need and living accommodation The man and his family joined the occupied for rehabilitative or thera- program in 2018. They were accom- peutic purposes. While the rental modated in an apartment building officer found the program to be re- the YWCA owned. habilitative, she concluded that the The NWT Court of Appeal ruled that the Residential Tenancies Act exempts the YWCA supportive housing program. Natalie Pressman/ The family was relocated to a RTA legislators were referring to NNSL photo Northview Properties-owned build- "institutional environments," where ing when a fire burned down the living accommodation is secondary officer's conclusion that the RTA's nent," Shaner stated. rental officer's findings, occupants YWCA apartment building in Oc- to the organization's main rehabili- exemption is limited to institutional "Again," she said, "if the drafters would hold the same rights and ob- tober 2018. tative purpose. She said that while environments. intended to limit 'temporarily' in ligations of a tenant "including, When the tenant was told on Sept. the transitional housing provided "Had the Legislature intended to (the act) to a matter of days, they quite possibly, the obligation to pay 10, 2019 that he had 48 hours to va- in this case is primarily for living limit (the RTA) in this way, it would would have said that." rent. That is clearly not the purpose cate, he refused, despite the YWCA accommodation and not rehabili- have expressly included this quali- The rental officer's interpretation, of such programs, nor the intention assuring they would provide him tation. fication," the judge wrote. Shaner said, "would lead to absurd, of the users." with housing elsewhere. The land- She also determined that "tempo- Shaner also disagreed with the impractical and unintended conse- Shaner set aside the rental officer's lord had the locks changed, but al- rarily" implied shelter for a matter officer's definition of temporary. quences." order and ruled that the YWCA's lowed the YWCA access to the unit of days. "Clearly, it refers to arrangements She points to emergency accom- Supportive Housing Program falls for an additional period to assist the Upon the YWCA's appeal, Shaner that are not permanent and which modations and shelters as examples squarely within the exemptions tenant in retrieving his belongings. ruled there is nothing to support the are not intended to become perma- of cases where, according to the specified in the RTA. Dial it in: 18K more doses on the way Target of 85 per cent of population getting the jab remains for GNWT

by Blair McBride will allow for the vaccina- delivery dates for delivery doses in total have been re- rotational workers. people became dominant, tion of up to 85 per cent of weren't yet known. ceived by the NWT as of The amount of vaccines Kandola added. Northern News Services the adult population, said The NWT is due to receive April 21. received by April 15, which A total of 25,857 first The NWT is expected to Department of Health and 2,500 doses of Moderna be- Kandola said came to 51,600 doses of the vaccine had receive 18,800 doses of the Social services spokesperson tween April 26 and May 2, We need more doses was enough to vaccinate 75 been administered as of Moderna vaccine between Damien Healy, on April 26. the farthest delivery pro- Chief public health officer per cent of eligible residents. April 26, and 20,943 second late April and June. The extra doses will also jection listed on the Public Dr. Kami Kandola said on The initial calculation doses, according to GNWT The allotment from the help with the vaccination Health Agency of Canada's April 15 that more vaccines of the territory's vaccine data. National Operations Cen- of out-of-territory transient Shipments and Deliveries would be ordered from the needs was made before the At least 4,279 of those tre of the Public Health workers. portal. federal government to ac- more infectious variants of doses were given to out-of- Agency of Canada (PHAC) Healy added that precise The site states that 56,300 commodate non-resident COVID-19 that target young territory workers.

Lead nurse Diana Ollerhead draws the Moderna vaccine into a syringe for the other nurses to use at the vaccination clinic in Dettah on Jan. 15. The NWT will receive an additional 18,800 doses of Moderna in the second quarter between late April and June. NNSL file photo 8 yellowknifer, Wednesday, April 28, 2021 Editorial & Opinions Published Wednesdays and Fridays Comments and views from Yellowknifer and letters to the editor P.O. Box 2820, Yellowknife, NT, X1A 2R1 Office: 5108 50th Street, Yellowknife Phone: (867) 873-4031 Fax: (867) 873-8507 Toll free: (855) 873-6675 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.nnsl.com

FOUNDER (1934-2018): J.W. (Sig) Sigvaldason

PUBLISHER, CEO: Bruce Valpy – [email protected] The overwhelming number of sexually violent acts in the ter- Chief Financial Officer: ritory shows our current system Judy Triffo – [email protected] of locking people up and label- ling them as predators isn't COORDINATING EDITOR: working. NNSL file photo Craig Gilbert – [email protected] ACCOUNTING: [email protected] Florie Mariano • Salleah Wagas Editorial board: Bruce Valpy • Craig Gilbert Emily McInnis • Alyssa Smith

News editor: Alyssa Smith [email protected]

Reporters: [email protected] Simon Whitehouse • Natalie Pressman Blair McBride

Sports: James McCarthy – [email protected]

ADVERTISING [email protected] Representatives: Sexual offenders Petra Memedi James Boylan • Brock Grills Advertising manager: Zerline Rodriguez Account executive: Laura Whittle Social media manager: Wesley Cook Administrative assistant: MJ Santander

ADVERTISING PRODUCTION Production co-ordinator: Jennifer Reyes need healing, too Randy Hiebert • Joshua Uson

Customer service: Holly Yestrau [email protected] It's hard not to yearn for punishment, but is jail always the answer?

CIRCULATION: [email protected] Northern News Services Circulation Director: Amy Yang our collective ability to accurately perceive The overwhelming number of sexually vio- The issue: warning signs of abuse. It immobilizes Subscriptions: lent acts in the territory shows our current Sexual violence (abusers) from taking responsibility for their Print: (mail) $95/year system of locking people up and labelling action out of a fear of being rejected and Online: (entire content) $50/year them as predators isn't working. We say: ostracized as monsters," the article states. In fact, these reports have become com- Hurt people hurt people As Cherokee and anti-violence activist monplace. A man sexually assaulted his Andrea Smith pointed out in the article, "… NORTHERN NEWS SERVICES LIMITED cousin while she slept; a teenager was raped reliance on the criminal justice system to ad- Publishers of: in her sleep by a man; a recent call by dress gender violence would make sense if Inuvik Drum • Kivalliq News RCMP for victims of a man called "Pastor drivers about consent, boundaries, appro- the threat were a few crazed men whom we Yellowknifer • Hay River Hub NWT News/North Brad" to come forward… each incident is priate communication, and how to create can lock up." News/North abhorrent on its own, but the scale of this a respectful and safe environment for pas- If only it were so simple. Those who are problem is staggering. sengers. labelled sexual predators are isolated from Member of: "More remarkable is the fact that 96 per A great start, we think — proactive train- society and deemed monsters, which only Canadian Community Newspapers Association Community Newspapers Association cent of lifetime sexual violence against In- ing like this could benefit workplaces of all obscures why sexual violence happens in the Community Newspapers Association digenous women is perpetrated by someone ilks — and the council isn't the only group first place; it also makes the problem worse. Weekly Newspapers Association Alberta Weekly Newspapers Association of another race. For Indigenous men, it is trying to get ahead of this sobering issue. So, to start to fix the problem, we have to Ontario, Manitoba and Alberta Press Councils only slightly lower at 89 per cent. By con- A man from Yellowknife was also spurred treat offenders as human beings rather than Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce trast, perpetrators of sexual violence against to action by the taxi survey. Last week he monsters. Contents copyright – printed in the North by Canarctic Graphics Limited white women and men are overwhelmingly sent an email blast asking men to attend We can offer supports for people dealing intraracial at 91 per cent," according to a a meeting where they could write a letter with sexual assault but what we really need, 2018 article by The Interdisciplinary Journal reflecting the group's intentions for an "ac- in addition, is a system that offers healing of Partnership Studies. tion-oriented strategy" to address the over- to perpetrators of sexual violence. That may Send us your comments Results of a recent survey asking how safe whelming number of women who feel unsafe seem like a tough pill to swallow for people You can e-mail us at [email protected]; mail to Box women feel in Yellowknife taxis detailed 500 while taking taxis. who have experienced sexual assault — how 2820, Yellowknife X1A 2R1; or drop your letter off at our incidents where women felt "unsafe." North- The group met on April 22, and although is it fair that someone who violated some- office at 5108-50th Street. All letters submitted must be signed with a return ern News Services first reported on the issue Northern News Service's request for com- one so completely, not be punished? In fact, address and daytime telephone number so that we can when women in the city took to Facebook to ment was not received by press time, we look ideas like restorative or transformative jus- confirm it came from you. share their experiences after a woman post- forward to hearing more about this initiative. tice don't jive with our idea of what justice Not all letters will necessarily be published. Preference ed on a local page about a taxi ride that left The aforementioned 2018 Interdisciplinary is, at all. Many of us want the people who is given to short letters of broad interest or concern. her shaken and scared to take taxis, other Journal of Partnership Studies' article, titled hurt us to hurt, too. We particularly encourage new contributors as we attempt to publish a cross-section of public opinion. than with a single driver she trusts. Ending Sexual Violence through Trans- This kind of justice calls for a punishment Letters of more than 300 words, open letters and Women aren't the only victims – more than formative Justice, makes the case that the that matches the crime and is inseparable those published elsewhere are seldom used. We reserve half of women and men in the NWT were common practice of punishing offenders from our understanding of what justice ac- the right to edit for length or taste and to eliminate sexually assaulted before the age of 15. through incarceration and social alienation tually means. inaccurate or libelous statements. Janet Dean of the Status of Women doesn't solve the problem — actually, the The saying "hurt people hurt people" rings We may also choose to use a letter as the basis for a story. Council of the NWT said the council has article contends, it makes it worse. true. We have a problem that the courts and adopted a training curriculum developed "This hyper-focus on 'the monsters' does stretches in prison don't seem to fix. It's time by its counterpart that teaches cab a disservice to all of us — it severely limits to heal these wounds at the source. commentary Yellowknifer, Wednesday, April 28, 2021 9 A call for kindness

Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh MLA Steve Norn deserves a measure of compassion, columnist Nancy Vail writes. NNSL file photo

Northern News Services Prior to the Christmas break, Caroline The greatest threat to our continued ex- Cochrane had pleaded with residents to We asked you! istence as a species is not a virus; it is the stay home, tell their university kids to with Simon Whitehouse loss of our humanity. shelter in place and abandon their much- Last week, the story broke that an needed visits with loved family members MLA and his teenager tested positive for that they had not seen since spring. Thank [email protected] COVID-19. In the spirit of transparency, goodness, the majority did the right thing. he self-identified. He didn't have to. We The outpouring of anger when people also learned that he had left his self-isola- learned about the Christmas trips was What does workplace safety mean to you and why is it important? tion period one day early to go to work. palpable. While the premier said residents' Unfortunately, his teenage daughter who frustration was "understandable" she urged was also self-isolating participated in so- patience. Patience? cial gatherings that evening. Now a whole In other provinces, elected and non- lot of people are being monitored for signs elected officials who traveled and broke of COVID-19. rules and regulations either resigned or He had received one shot of the vaccine were voluntold to. But not in the NWT. in late March before traveling to Other than some red faces and Alberta. Sadly, that did not pro- aw-shucks moments – there were tect them from contracting the no consequences and the Christ- virus which should be more of a mas Grinch disappeared. It concern to people then the fact was a clear case of civil servant that he went out on day 13. Ap- privilege. parently, no one is sure how long Some of the social media com- this virus can survive in our sys- ments last week also called for tem but there is little doubt that consequences and Cochrane Drew Houweling Caroline Kauffman Onyx Walker he could have infected people hinted that this might happen. Safety is important in the just as easily the next day. That Unlike the previous people who As I work for the city, I Workplace safety to me know that a clean work- workplace because it means means having the right doesn't justify the choice but it flaunted the regulations, though, the protection of workers does say that the results would notes it is well known that this MLA place is a safe workplace. equipment at work, know- It means I can go home at and the health of the com- ing your limits as a worker likely not have been significantly from the trail has been a bit of a thorn in the munity. different. side of some cabinet ministers so the end of every day. and being able to tell your No one focused on that nor Nancy Vail is a longtime Yel- they might consider that conse- co-workers what you are the fact that he had received one lowknifer concerned with social quences would be helpful in this comfortable with. justice. dose and still contracted the case. virus or that he and his daughter The appropriate outcome were sick. The focal point was that he left though would be for the NWT govern- one day early. ment to pick up the cost of any parents or In the onslaught of the sometimes- workers who will lose pay cheques during vicious comments that followed on some their isolation periods if they have to do social media posts last week, it quickly be- that. After all, the casual way the breaches came clear that people had forgotten this were handled at Christmas sent out the was not the first time people had broken message that it is okay to break the rules. the rules. The stage was set months before That horse was let out of the barn a long when another MLA, a female cabinet min- time ago – we're just dealing with karmic ister, allegedly socialized with others out repercussions. of her bubble in Inuvik. It was his decision to break his isolation Other than a few media stories, the situ- period one day early and he will have to Shelby Hamilton Charles Auger ation was swept quickly under the rug. Far choose his next steps wisely. But I think I think it means being It means allowing workers worse, were the three senior civil servants everyone needs to remember that permis- accountable and being to go home safely everyday who vacationed over Christmas despite sion slips for lax behaviour were handed responsible for your work- to enjoy their families. persistent messaging from the chief public out in January. Maybe none of this would place duties. health officer and the Legislative Assembly have happened if tougher action was taken to the rest of us to stay put. then, when we should have been setting One of those who traveled was the one firm tone for all. newly-appointed head of the COVID-19 Finally, let's remember that people are ill Express yourself: Write a letter to the editor secretariat, who went to B.C. with his with COVID-19 right now. One of them is Letters should be short and to the point. No longer than 500 words, please. Your letter should be relevant wife to spend Christmas with their three a teenager. How about instead of getting to our readers. Emailed letters are preferred. Include your full name and a phone number, as we verify university-aged children. How nice. Part nasty, we work hard to contain the virus authenticity of all letters prior to publication. We may edit your letter for grammar, length (for our print of his responsibility in this new role was to and send those infected our best wishes for version) or any potential legal issues. oversee the regulations everyone else was speedy recoveries. That is our own better Email your letter to: [email protected] with the subject line: Letter to The Editor nature at work and what we too would ap- being asked to follow. Everyone else, that Or by regular mail: Yellowknifer 5108 50 St., Yellowknife, NT., X1A 1S2 Attn: Editor is, except senior government personnel. preciate if we were in their shoes. 10 yellowknifer, Wednesday, April 28, 2021 news New treats coming to Gastown Chef to operate out of traditional food wagon

Gastown owner Jamie Pye plans to open the new Gastown BBQ Eats and Treats by mid-May. Blair McBride/NNSL photo

by Blair McBride pulled pork and brisket, Gastown owner Jamie Pye bites, deep fried pickles and to showcase all the exciting same items, a name will be Northern News Services along with a rotating menu bought the business and sweet potato fries. things I've been planning." drawn for the winner. of fresh sandwiches out Gastown Grill from a rela- "I'm thrilled about it," Gordon will be one of the Eats and Treats is sched- Gastown is bringing new of its long-standing food tive. said Gordon, a long-time new full-time cooks. Pye is uled to open before Pye's eats with a new name and wagon on Old Airport Pye's new chef Allison chef at Bullock's Bistro. also hiring two part-time new ice cream shop and chef to town. Road. Gordon will also serve "Yellowknife is home. All cooks. bakery, which he aims to Gastown BBQ Eats and The new project comes Gastown's traditional fare the people who live here If the weather co-operates, open in June or July. Treats will serve smoked just over six months after like poutine, mac and cheese are like family. I'm excited he hopes to begin serving That venture has been on hungry customers by mid- his agenda for a few years. May. He began the permit process There is even the possi- with the City in January. bility of starting a 7 a.m. It will operate out of an breakfast service, he said. Atco trailer that sits on Pye wants a menu that re- the north side of the shop. flects Yellowknifers' tastes, It contains a commercial and on April 17 began in- kitchen with an oven and viting suggestions on Face- grill. book for three items for its "We're dealing with the summer menu. City to make sure it's all up If a person's suggested to code. We're just trying item is chosen for the menu, to get the equipment up to they can receive it for free Yellowknife. once a week all summer. If "But we're getting there," several people suggest the Pye said. photo story Yellowknifer, Wednesday, April 28, 2021 11 Pups brave last blast of cold

dog park Feature

by Simon Whitehouse

Northern News Services Sunday to Saturday from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. The Yellowknife Dog Park On April 25, despite some is a useful hangout for dog late season chilly tempera- owners and their canine tures, dog owners watched companions on any day of their animals running about the year. within the dog park chasing The dog park is one of five a pink ball, nipping and wres- off-leash areas where dog- tling with one another. owners can take their pets to The dog park is behind the burn off a bit of energy from Yellowknife Arena.

Linda Zachariassen stands with her son's dog Simba, April 25. Inset: The struggle is real. Chester, left, takes a mouthful of an ear on Cooper(middle), while Simba, right, measures his control over the Cooper takes off with a pink ball. pink ball.

Phillip Cimon, right, shows his handsome boy Chester at the dog park, April 25. Simba, Cooper, and Sharona run about at the dog park, April 25. 12 yellowknifer, Wednesday, April 28, 2021 news Gold deposit near YK could be 'more than two kilometres long'

Project geotechnician Aaron Doan, foreground, and geologist Ryan Bachynski examine drill core at the Gold Terra core processing facility in Yellowknife in March 2021. Discovery made south of Con Mine, Gold Terra says

by Blair McBride in the Campbell Shear, the Northern News Services company added. The drilling took place at Gold Terra Resource Corp. the company's optioned prop- has discovered more than two erty from Newmont Ventures kilometres of gold mineral- Limited and Miramar North- ization in its Campbell Shear ern Mining Limited, near its structure, south of the former Yellowknife City Gold Project Con Mine, near Yellowknife. (YCG). The Campbell Shear dis- The results from the recent covery follows Gold Terra's three holes reveal high-grade A drill sits on Gold Terra's Newmont Option Property, south of Yellowknife in March 2021. photos courtesy of Gold Terra announcement on March zones similar to the ones 16 that the estimated qual- mined at Con, and are part of ity and quantity in the Sam the same system that requires Otto, Crestaurum, Barney drilling with closer spacing. and Mispickel deposits – part Gold Terra president and of the YCG – could amount CEO David Suda said the to 1.2 million ounces of gold company is encouraged by the and possibly re-establish Yel- continuity of gold deposits lowknife as a "premiere min- connected with the historic ing camp." gold envelope of Con Mine. The discovery came during The recent discovery comes the first phase of Gold Terra's after drilling in the shear drilling program that consist- found gold deposits of 5.77 ed of 7,242 metres across 13 grams per tonne over 12.35 holes, the company stated in metres earlier in April, and a news release on April 27. of 10.85 grams per tonne over Five of the six million ounc- 4.35 metres in late March, es of gold mined at Con were Suda added. Yellowknifer, Wednesday, April 28, 2021 13 City in 'solid financial position' after first full year of COVID-19 $13.3 million kept in general fund to counter future pandemic pain

The City of Yellowknife passed its audited financial statements for 2020 during Monday's council meeting. Council approved a recommendation from the city's audit committee to leave $13.3 million in the general fund, which will help the municipality react to further financial impacts from COVID-19. NNSL file photo Mayor Rebecca Alty said the general fund, which exists tory, we would be in a little bit of a situation. by Simon Whitehouse for day-to-day operations, is only to provide temporary Coun. Cynthia Mufandaedza, council's representative on Northern News Services assistance, which will hopefully end this year. the audit committee, said she was relieved because revenues Much of council and city administration breathed a "We had a discussion at the audit committee where we were not expected to be as positive as what was reported. collective sigh of relief this week as the municipality's wanted to continue the recommendation (to use general "From all the numbers presented, I think the big takeaway 2020 audited financial statements confirmed a cushion funds) again this year and hopefully by this time next was that the city is in a good financial position based on of nearly $8 million after a tumultuous pandemic year. year COVID-19 won't be having that financial impact the report," Mufandaedza said. "We are in a pandemic "The city had a good financial year with revenues coming on operations and we can do the transfer to the capital and things have been difficult. We saw a revenue decrease in ever-so-slightly above budget and expenses coming in fund," she said of 0.1 per cent, but we made a balanced budget and we just under budget," said Sharolynn Woodward, director Woodward said overall revenue declined by 0.1 per cent are in a really good position. Everyone worked hard and of corporate services, during Monday's council meeting. from 2019 due to a decrease in land sales and user fees. revenues were not expected to be where they are." "This enabled us to close 2020 in a solid financial position User fees and sales of goods were four per cent lower than She pointed out that many municipalities across the that saw our net financial assets increase by approximately in 2019 "as the COVID-19 facility closures significantly country have been affected by the pandemic and noted $12.6 million over the previous year. This brought the city's reduced related revenues. Other revenues were down by that although recreational facilities such as the Ruth Inch accumulated surplus to just over $316 million, reflecting over 19 per cent because the city waived interest in penal- Memorial Pool were staffed and underwent maintenance, an annual surplus of $7.96 million. ties on most accounts in 2020 in light of the pandemic," for much of 2020 there was no revenue being collected "This does place the city in a favorable position, especially Woodward said. at the facilities. as we look at how to manage the financial implications Coun. Niels Konge said that much of the positives from "So we were running a big overhead and there was a sigh and fallout that will arise as a result of the ongoing global the audit came due to financial assistance from the ter- of relief when we were not in a big deficit. That is where impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic." ritorial and federal governments. the sigh of relief came," she said. One of the tell-tale signs that the city foresees more pos- In 2020, the city had budgeted for $837,000 in grants and On the revenue side, the city realized one per cent more sible pandemic pain included a decision to retain $13.3 transfers from higher orders of government but received than budgeted due to property tax revenues, user charges, million in the general fund. The figure represents 31 per $3 million to help with losses due to the pandemic. grants and transfers from the GNWT and federal govern- cent of budgeted expenditures, which is far above the 10 "It is not really a surplus and we got lucky," said Konge. ment, as well as investment income, permit revenues and to 15 per cent stipulated in the city's budget fiscal stabi- "If we hadn't gotten the extra from the feds and the terri- franchise fees. lization policy. Traditionally, if there's more than the 10 to 15 per cent of the budget's expenditures in that fund, excess cash is transferred to capital, Woodward said. That practice fact file changed last year when the pandemic presented uncertainty for the municipality's fiscal outlook. city of yellowknife audited financial position, fiscal 2020 "When administration brought forward the 2019 finan- cial statements, even though the general fund balance did Financial assets exceed the limits specified in the policy, the recommenda- Non-financial assets: $284 million tion was not to increase the transfer to capital in order (cash and cash equivalents): $107.6 million to strengthen the city's ability to weather the pandemic," Woodward said. "Now with the 2020 statements, the general Accumulated surplus: $316 million fund balance is still higher than prescribed by the policy, Liabilities: $75.5 million and there are still a lot of unknowns around COVID-19. Given these unknowns, and the fact that budget 2020 did Increase over previous year: $8 million not include any transfers to the capital fund, the recom- Net financial assets: $32 million mendation is the same as last year: Leave the money where it is for now." Source: City of Yellowknife 14 yellowknifer, Wednesday, April 28, 2021 news Yellowknifer, Wednesday, April 28, 2021 15 Yk engineering firm orders employees to get vaccine Varick Ollerhead says '99 per cent' of his team have been jabbed He said some of his employ- by Simon Whitehouse ees encounter essential work- Northern News Services ers from down south and he's At least one Yellowknife- concerned about exposure to based company is requiring COVID-19. He noted specifi- its employees to be fully vac- cally work the company has cinated before being able to done with the new Kentucky work. Fried Chicken and Starbucks Ollerhead and Associates development on Old Airport Ltd., a Kam Lake-based sur- Road. veying and engineering com- Ollerhead said there hasn't pany of about 15 workers, has been any negative feedback implemented a mandatory to the vaccine policy inter- vaccination policy. Staff were nally and he has no deadline informed of the rule during a or need for proof of vaccina- meeting earlier this month. tion among his workers. "Yes, Ollerhead and Associ- "Most of my people have al- ates Ltd. is asking employees ready been vaccinated – about to be vaccinated to be able 99 per cent, and maybe one to work," company president person who hasn't gone and Varick Ollerhead stated in an been vaccinated to date," he April 21 email. said. "It wasn't a big internal "At Ollerhead & Associates issue here. I'm sure there are Varick Ollerhead, owner of Ollerhead and Associates Ltd., is among Northern employers who are requiring employees to be vaccinated in order to Ltd., the protection of our some people who have an ad- work. Simon Whitehouse/NNSL photo employees remains our top versarial perspective on it but priority. Proper hygiene, social it wasn't our experience here." distancing and the wearing Maggie Collins, manager of I would strongly encourage them otherwise it could wind up with provisions in the Employment she said. of masks have proven to be communications at the Workers' to seek legal advice before pro- a human rights adjudicator or Standards Act or regulations, Comeau pointed Yellow- effective measures against the Safety and Compensation Com- ceeding." in the courts." they should contact the Em- knifer to the business law transmission of COVID-19." mission (WSCC), said there are Ultimately, employers need to Katherine Barton, senior ployment Standards Office to firm Osler, which has con- Ensuring that workers re- no requirements for employees ensure that they are upholding communications officer with discuss their situation." sidered the ramifications of ceive the Moderna vaccine to be vaccinated to work under their obligations under the NWT the GNWT Department of The act's amendments are mandatory vaccinations in is another level of personal the NWT Safety Act. Human Rights Act, Dent said. Employment, stated that the being drafted and will be final- the workplace while observ- protection, said Ollerhead. "All employers have the obliga- Employers have to avoid situa- department hasn't been made ized at a later date, she said. ing human rights, privacy or While he may be unable to tion to maintain the health and tions where mandatory vaccina- aware of workplace mandato- Renee Comeau, executive religious concerns. force employees to ultimately safety of their workplaces. When tion policies might discriminate ry vaccination policies, either. director of NWT Chamber "Absent government and follow the directive, Ollerhead it comes to COVID-19, this against employees who might not "If an employer required an of Commerce, wouldn't medical directives for em- said he has a responsibility means employers are required to want to take a vaccine, such as in employee to be vaccinated in comment on internal mat- ployers to require all employ- to ensure safety measures are have an exposure control plan in the case of religious reservations; order to work and the employ- ters but acknowledged it's ees to be vaccinated, or even in place. place and to implement policies due to pregnancy; or due to other ee was not vaccinated, they an issue that the chamber strongly recommend that all "We support and encour- and procedures to protect work- health and disability reasons. may be entitled to the unpaid is hearing more about, both employees be vaccinated, age the use of vaccines in ers from the risk of exposure," "You can't mandate straight emergency leave introduced in the North and across the even a carefully drafted man- our workplace and use the Collins stated. across the board and you have in the recent amendments to country. datory vaccination policy guidance of the NWT Occu- While vaccinations may be to adhere to the NWT Human the Employment Standards "We have heard of similar that addresses both human pational Health and Safety part of an exposure control Rights Act, whether that be Act," Barton stated. "Regula- requests by employers na- rights and privacy concerns Regulations for our COVID- plan, along with other infection health-care workers or essen- tions are currently being de- tionally across the board, and for employees outside the 19 exposure control plans, the control measures, this has to be tial workers or whomever," said veloped that will bring this it is something more preva- health-care context could be same as any other infectious communicated to employees, she Dent. "If a workplace did insti- legislation into force. If an lent and may be something subject to a legal challenge," material or organism that we noted. tute this program, it would have employee is concerned their we hear more of as we get Osler concluded in an article may encounter in our work "Should an employer choose to to be shown to be reasonable, or employer is not adhering to further into the pandemic," posted on its website. environments," he said. "We include vaccination as a part of have tried to actively support their exposure control plan, they the fight against the spread must follow the OHS Regula- of COVID-19 by promptly tions, which state: employers are creating our own COVID- required to inform workers about 19 exposure control plan (in any recommended vaccine and Spring 2020) as required by the associated risks … and that NWT Occupational Health the employer shall arrange for a and Safety Regulations." vaccination, if the worker con- He added that the company sents," she stated. "For clarity, is offering paid time off for the ability of employers to man- workers to get the coronavi- date the vaccination of work- rus vaccine, and also supports ers is a legal question beyond time off for employees to help the scope of the Safety Act and eligible family members get regulations, and requires con- the vaccine. sideration of other areas of law, The business is in the pro- such as employment and labour cess of updating its COVID- and human rights." 19 control plan, which will Charles Dent, chair of the include the vaccination as Northwest Territories Human cited by NWT Occupational Rights Commission, said wheth- Health and Safety (OHS) er an employer can force vac- Regulations. cinations is a complicated issue. According to Section 88 He recommended that em- of the act, which deals with ployers discuss the matter with exposure control plans, an individual employees rather than employer must "describe in- issuing blanket requirements. fection control measures to be "Nobody yet has approached used," including vaccination. the commission regarding man- Given the nature of his datory vaccination and so it is company's work, it's common not something we have had to that his employees visit differ- deal with," Dent said. "We've ent types of similar worksites thought about it because you throughout the Northwest hear of what is taking place else- Territories and Nunavut, where. The law around mandato- such as building and highway ry vaccinations is fairly complex. construction sites, and it's im- Any employer who is considering portant that they're protected. making vaccination mandatory, 16 yellowknifer, Wednesday, April 28, 2021 Sports & Recreation Sports hotline • James McCarthy Phone: (867) 873-4031 • Email: [email protected] • Fax: (867) 873-8507 Pickleball gains steam Racquet sport hosts first fun tournament for local group

by James McCarthy aged to not only have every- net which is known as the "no- on the service are allowed. amount of people who have than tennis and not a lot of Northern News Services one play with everyone but volley" zone, mean- Points can only been staying in town. joint movement like there is they also took on someone ing no shots can be be scored while "There are a lot of people in badminton. Once younger Ever hear of pickleball? If different each time." made from within on service with who would normally spend people start getting involved, not, you'll be hearing a lot Pickleball has elements of that area unless the "We're just really the first to 11 quite a bit of time outside of you may see the competitive- more about it. badminton, tennis and table ball bounces there happy with the points declared the city every year but they ness start to kick in." The sport, which is an of- tennis incorporated in it. first. the winner in a can't right now," she said. Christie said there is a sim- ficial medal event on the Can- The court itself resembles a Like in tennis, interest this year." normal game. "We're just really happy ilar event planned for this ada 55-Plus Games program, doubles badminton court and serving is done to Gail Christie Christie said with the interest this year week and it all began on Tues- has slowly been gaining steam measures 20 feet wide by 44 the area directly interest in the and it will be interesting to day afternoon at the DND in the city and a group of a feet long for both singles and diagonal from the sport has picked see whether that level stays. Gymnasium with the second dozen, part of what's known doubles play. There is a seven- server and the ball up over the last It's popular with the older co- session planned for tomorrow as the Yellowknife Pickleball ft. zone on either side of the must bounce; no volleys little while because of the hort because there's less stress beginning at 12:30 p.m. Group, played in an event at the Multiplex's DND Gym- nasium last week. Gail Christie, Laurell Graf and Ron Graf were the orga- nizers of the event; Christie said the event was all a part of the group's regular gym time, which is provided by the city on a drop-in basis. "It wasn't a tournament per se but just a chance for every- one to play in a fun event," she said. The 12 players all played in a total of 12 games each over a two-day period and changed partners after every game. Points were awarded to each player who won or tied their games – games did have a time limit attached to them – and when all was said and done, Jim Umpherson and Steve Bounds ended up tied for what Christie called "bragging rights." They even won themselves a trophy specially created for the event by fellow player Cheryl Thomas, she added. "Laurell did a great job with the draw," she said. "She man-

Gail Nesbitt awaits a serve during the Yellowknife Pickleball Group's in-house tournament at the DND Gymnasium on April 23. Inset at left: Jim Umpherson, left, and Steve Bounds shared top spot in the Yellowknife Pickleball Group's in-house tournament at the DND Gymnasium on April 23. Photos courtesy of Yellowknife Pickleball sports & recreation Yellowknifer, Wednesday, April 28, 2021 17 Multisport Club gears up for new season

Sanaa Doherty, left, and her dad, Shaun Doherty, cross the finish line together in the 3-km family fun run portion of the Fun Run/ Walk Challenge's second event at Somba K'e Park on June 30. photo courtesy of Cameron Twa

Full calendar of events set for 2021 even with restrictions still in place by James McCarthy Twa said the club is planning on worked out really well and I'm opti- Ultra, one of Twa's own ideas. It's Twa said the majority of the early Northern News Services doing that again for this season. mistic that we could get that number happening at William McDonald entries were for the 24-hour race "We were able to have up to 80 bumped up to around 100 but right Field on June 26 and 27 with people but once the medal was unveiled for If all goes well this year, the Yel- people in the area of the start/fin- now, it doesn't look like we will be- welcome to sign up to run either six, everyone who finishes the race, that's lowknife Multisport Club will be ish line with proper distancing and cause of the latest cases." 12 or 24 hours consecutively. Close when the rush began. having a full slate of races in 2021. the wearing of masks if distancing One new event which is sure to to 40 people have already signed up "I'm working with someone who's So long as Covid-19 co-operates. couldn't be done," he said. "That get a lot of attention is the 6-12-24 for that as of press time. really good at designing this sort of The club is getting ready to roll thing," he said. "It looks amazing out its calendar for this year with and there are quite a few people who the dates to be finalized at its annual decided to get in once they saw what general meeting on May 2. There is was being given out." one race already on the schedule, While the hope is to have as many that being the Mother's Day Run, events in person, there will still be a the traditional launching point for virtual option for people who still aren't the club, and there's already plenty comfortable with being out among a of interest for that, said Cameron large group, he added. Twa, the club's vice-president. "I know people are still nervous so "We already close to 75 signed up we're giving them that choice so they and I'm expecting that number to can distance or just do it safely," he said. grow," he said. That virtual option includes the ultra The run, which is happening on race. May 9, is also being used as a fun- "I just got the word that we can have draiser for the Yellowknife Women's anyone in Canada participating," said Society and Twa said close to $1,000 Twa. "We may be seeing people from has already been raised through Ontario, Manitoba, , entry fees and a one-time donation. Yukon. As long as they're in Canada In addition to Mother's Day, the and running in Canada, they can Fun Run series is back for another enter virtually. People really want year. It's a collection of 5-km runs that medal." or walks people can do as a fun way But no matter what happens, Twa to keep in shape. Anyone who com- said people are looking to get out pletes at least three of the six events and be active and he's hopeful they receives a medal of recognition for take part in some of the club's events. doing so. "There was this black cloud that The club did host some events in hung over the city last year," he said. person, the Overlander Marathon "People were avoiding each other but and Turkey Trot among them, and we're in a place now where people are did so using guidelines approved by These are the medals that were handed out to people who completed three of the six races in the Yk Multisport Club's Fun Run series protecting themselves and I'm com- the Office of the Chief Public Health last year. The Fun Run series will be returning for 2021, along with plenty of other planned events. photo courtesy of Yk Multisport fortable that we'll see more people Officer (OCPHO). Club coming out." 18 yellowknifer, Wednesday, April 28, 2021 Yellowknifer, Wednesday, April 28, 2021 19 20 yellowknifer, Wednesday, April 28, 2021