Carbon tax rebates hit bank accounts It was no trick: NWT residents treated to quarterly payment Thursday Online first at NNSL.com Former NWT coroner recalls history of 911 Volume 48 Issue 66 FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2019 75 CENTS ($1.00 outside city) Avengers assemble Your complete events guide Just tap it in: re-booting the kettle campaign New shelter rules leave some out in the cold Golf pro calls it a Brett McGarry / NNSL photo career after It's the Super Skinners! Sean Skinner, middle, and his sons, Jude Skinner, left, 10 years and Ben Skinner, right, flex their skating muscles at the Multiplex Wednesday. $1.00 outside Yellowknife Publication mail Contract #40012157 "I did get mixed up between the police and the fire department." 7 71605 00100 5 – Stephen Mercier, who as a 12-year-old in 2014, called the fire department when he needed police during a break-in, page 4. 2 YELLOWKNIFER, Friday, November 1, 2019 news YELLOWKNIFER, Friday, November 1, 2019 3 Did we get it wrong? Yellowknifer is committed to getting facts and names right. With that goes a commitment to acknow- ledge mistakes and run corrections. If you spot an Salvation Army seeks error in Yellowknifer, 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. NEWS kettle drive volunteers Briefs YIFF calls for volunteers The Yellowknife International Film Festival is calling for volunteers to pitch in from Nov. 6 to 10. Volunteers at the film festival get access to two screenings for each shift worked and a credit with Western Arctic Moving Pictures. On top of that, all volunteers have a chance to win prizes from the festival. The festival includes opportunities for "new, emerging, and more established filmmakers that are seeking additional support and prospects for furthering their skills and presence in the North- ern filmmaking community," am Oct. 28 festival news release stated. Anyone who's interested can reach organizer Ady McLeod by email at [email protected]. – Nick Pearce New ageism pamphlet The Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission is focused on ageism. It hopes a new pamphlet will help "individuals, business owners, landlords, and service providers bet- ter understand how to prevent age-based dis- crimination." "Understanding Ageism" can help people recognize age stereotypes and avoid acting in a discriminatory manner, and is available at www. nwthumanrights.ca. Paper copies are available Brett McGarry/NNSL photo by contacting the Commission at 867-669-5575. Jason Brinson, executive director and corps officer with the Salvation Army in Yellowknife, needs volunteers to help "Individuals are welcome to contact the with the organization's Christmas kettle drive. The Army is also looking for families or individuals who would like to Commission with questions about their particu- register for the annual hamper program. lar situation," according to a press release. "All inquiries are confidential. Our staff will work with individuals who believe they have experi- Group hopes to raise $42,000 for Christmas meals and gifts enced discrimination." by Brett McGarry fly out hamper program, the toy drive and a community meal offered – Craig Gilbert Northern News Services at the Salvation Army. With 528 volunteer hours available throughout the six week cam- "We do receive donations of toys for example through the toy drive MAX Awards seek nominations paign and only 13 volunteers currently registered, the Salvation Army but the funds help close any gaps in our programs," said Brinson. The third time is a charm for the upcoming is looking to fill its volunteer gap for the annual Christmas Kettle drive. Last year's Christmas kettle drive surpassed the initial $42,000 Mining and Exploration (MAX) Awards. "We are definitely behind in where I'd like to be in terms of num- goal. This year's goal will also be $42,000. Nominations for the third annual ceremony, bers," said Jason Brinson, executive director and corps officer with the "We're thankful to the community for their generosity and ongoing which is "all about celebrating excellence across Salvation Army in Yellowknife. support of the Salvation Army," said Brinson. the many areas which mining and exploration "We could use as many as are willing to help." Brinson is also hoping businesses and corporations can adopt a contribute to the NWT are now open in five Volunteers will stand at a kettle for two-hour shifts and greet people kettle for a day and reduce the need for extra volunteers. Community categories: as they make donations, thank people and operate debit and credit groups, faith groups and any volunteer groups are welcome, said Brin- • Indigenous Achievement machines for donations. son. • Distinguished Service The Salvation Army will also be increasing the amount of kettles to The Kettle drive starts on Nov. 14 and runs until Dec. 21. Brinson • Environmental and Social Responsibility five this year, up from four last year. They will be at Walmart, Cana- said it's best to have volunteers scheduled in ahead of time but he is • Special Achievement dian Tire, the liquor stores and now the Co-op. able to take on volunteers at any point before or during the campaign. • Economic Leadership The money in the kettles will go toward the community and family Volunteers can sign up by calling 920- 4673 ext.121, emailing The Department of Industry Tourism and services department, whcih helps with the Christmas hamper program, [email protected] or visiting yzfkettles.com. Investment and the NWT and Nunavut Chamber of Mines team up to present the awards. The nomination deadline is Nov. 5, winners will be announced Nov. 22 at the conclusion of the Yellowknife Geoscience Forum. Phone 867- Mysterious deposit was 445-4770 for more information. – Craig Gilbert Basketball meeting on tap Basketball NWT will be in annual general carbon tax offset rebate meeting mode this evening as it hosts its gathering in the Sport North boardroom beginning at 7 p.m. The finances will be part of the agenda along Next payment comes in April, and quarterly thereafter with elections to the board of directors plus sev- by Brett McGarry have received a flyer in the mail this past receive information on the actual total pay- eral proposed amendments to the association's Northern News Services week to explain the source of the funds. ment from CRA within the next few weeks," bylaws. The Government of the Northwest Ter- The money is tax free and is not based said Sasaki. – James McCarthy ritories made a payment out to residents on household income but rather an annual Before the recent territorial election, this morning through the Canada Revenue amount per household with $104 for adults MLAs begrudgingly passed legislation cre- Fiddle society changes jam time Agency (CRA) as a part of its cost of living and $120 for children under 18. ating a carbon tax. Only one payment is issued per family Although many MLAs suggested scrap- The Fiddle Society will be hosting another offset related to the carbon tax. to whoever filled the most recent income ping it entirely, the federal government man- fiddle jam on Nov. 1, but to encourage younger These payments are meant to "mitigate tax claim. dated that if a province or territory did not participants showing up, the start time has the effects" of the NWT carbon tax that If you're wondering why you might not introduce their own tax, a federal one would changed. Starting at 6 p.m. food will be served was introduced this past September, stated have received your payment, to be eligible be imposed. and drop in beginner classes will take place with Todd Sasaki, communications officer for the for the payment you have to be an NWT From now until June 2020, the carbon tax the jam starting at 6:30 p.m. Department of Finance on Thursday. resident for three months or more and have rate on gasoline is $0.047 per litre, which The beginner workshop is open to all ages The carbon tax is meant to discourage the filed an income tax return in 2018. will increase to $0.070 on July 1. The tax and skill levels so long as they have participated use of fossil fuels, with 100 per cent being The next payment will be made in April applies to seven other kinds of fuel in the ter- in one workshop before. Email aurorafiddle@ returned to individuals and 72 per cent given 2020. Future payments will be made quar- ritory, including motive diesel, non-motive gmail.com before the event begins to take part. in rebates to large-scale industries such as terly. diesel, locomotive engine fuel, home heating – Brett McGarry mines. According to Sasaki, residents should "The GNWT anticipates that it will fuel, propane and natural gas. 4 YELLOWKNIFER, Friday, November 1, 2019 news A history of unknowns: NWT 911 system goes live Monday Former coroner and advocate for single emergency number reflects on program's genesis by Nick Pearce there would have been someone out there Northern News Services earlier to do a search. And perhaps they would In 2001, Freda Hope and her common-law have found her." partner were riding snowmobiles through the Ultimately, he can't say if lives would or narrows of Prosperous Lake when she plunged wouldn't have been saved had the city or ter- into frozen water. ritory implemented 911 years ago. The phone Her partner was ahead, driving a faster system will go live across the territory Mon- sled, when he hit a rock, crashed and broke day.