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HUB NEWS BRIEFS: Guilty plea entered, Schumann updates legislative assembly

Guilty plea entered in workplace injury

Arctic Environmental Services Ltd. of Alberta plead guilty in Yellowknife Territorial Court on Feb. 6 to an NWT Safety Act charge involving a workplace injury in Hay River.

The Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission filed six charges last year in relation to a July 26, 2016, incident in which a worker was injured operating a scissor-lift while demolishing the Don Stewart Recreation Centre.

"I can confirm that Arctic Environmental Services did enter a guilty plea to count one of that matter," said prosecutor Roger Shepard.

The count involved failing to provide information, instruction, training and supervision necessary to protect the health and safety of workers.

Arctic Environmental Services and its president Robert Valleau face six charges, while main contractor Clark Builders faces one charge.

"No other pleas were entered by any of the parties by Arctic Environmental, Mr. Valleau or Clark Builders," Shepard said. "They've reserved their pleas on the rest."

Arctic Environmental Services will be sentenced in Hay River Territorial Court on May 8.

"As I advised the court on the last appearance, it's anticipated that upon conviction of Arctic Environmental Services on count one, the plan is for charges to be withdrawn against all of the other parties," said Shepard.

 

Schumann updates legislative assembly on MTS

Infrastructure Minister Wally Schumann updated the legislative assembly on Feb. 15 on the first season of Marine Transportation Services – the government division which bought Northern Transportation Company Ltd assets after filing for bankruptcy in 2016.

"In 2017, the Government of the Northwest Territories' Marine Transportation Services Division registered and reactivated six tugboats, transported more than 37 million litres of fuel, and carried more than 10,000 tonnes of deck cargo to communities and commercial clients," Schumann said.

At the peak of last season, MTS employed more than 140 people, including 60 from the NWT.

MTS also issued almost $3 million in contracts to NWT businesses.

 

Exploration program accepting applications

The GNWT's $1-million Mining Incentive Program is accepting applications for 2018-2019.

The application deadline is April 27.

Through the program, prospectors can apply for up to $25,000 and mineral exploration companies can apply for up to $200,000.