NWT
The GNWT has raised the payments it gives to foster parents for the first time since 2007.
The rates vary from community to community and are based on the Consumer Price Index. The highest rate is $57 per day, in Colville Lake, and the lowest is $29, in Yellowknife, Dettah and Ndilo.
All the rates are available on the Department of Health and Social Services's website, on the foster care page.
As well, additional age-of-child payments to foster parents have gone up to $5 per day for children up to five years old, $4 for those aged 6 to 12, and $6 for those aged 13 to 18.
– Tim Edwards
Man arrested after alleged mid-flight theft
Aklavik
A 26-year-old man was arrested over the weekend after RCMP responded to a call for assistance at the Yellowknife airport.
Police were advised that Travis Capot-Blanc from Aklavik had been causing a disturbance while on a flight from Inuvik to Yellowknife Sunday afternoon.
RCMP officers arrived on scene where they learned the passenger had allegedly stolen cash from the "in-flight purchase float," stated an RCMP news release Monday afternoon.
Capot-Blanc was arrested and appeared in court Monday afternoon. He is charged with one count of theft under $5,000 and failure to comply with an undertaking. Capot-Blanc is due back in court April 24.
– Brendan Burke
Mumps in NWT
Mumps has been diagnosed in the NWT for the first time since 1995.
Two cases of the mumps have been confirmed by Health and Social Services and two other cases are under investigation.
The first diagnosis was made on March 19.
Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Andre Corriveau confirmed the outbreak started during a handgames tournament.
Corriveau said anybody who might have come into contact with the virus and is not up-to-date on their vaccines should seek diagnosis immediately. Anyone who thinks they have contracted mumps should contact their doctor over the phone instead of going to the hospital or health centre.
Mumps is an acute infectious disease caused by the mumps virus. It is spread via coughing, sneezing, kissing, sharing glasses or utensils, and touching a surface that has the virus on it.
– Michael Hugall
Updates to petroleum legislation
The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is proposing amendments to the Petroleum Resources Act and the Oil and Gas Operations Act.
According to the GNWT website, the proposed changes are the first step in a long-term review process.
The amendments are designed to enhance transparency and public accountability, ensure legislation reflects risks and best practices, minimize operational challenges in the administration of petroleum rights issuance and operations, resolve administrative and technical issues and increase competitiveness comparative to other jurisdictions.
The goal of the changes is to promote increased investment in the territory's petroleum exploration and production.
– Samantha McKay
Report out on Vinnecombe death
Inuvik
Inadequate training and a failure to enforce safety protocols were factors in a fatal workplace accident near Inuvik in 2016, states a report from the NWT Office of the Chief Coroner.
The report – released by Chief Coroner Cathy Menard on March 26 – presents the findings of an investigation initiated after David Vinnicombe, a 19-year-old Australian man employed by Allen
Services and Contracting Ltd., was killed while on the job at a roadway construction project just outside of Inuvik in late June of 2016.
Vinnicombe was operating a vibrating roller packer when the heavy piece of machinery rolled over. Vinnicombe, who wasn't wearing a seat belt, was pinned under the unit and died after sustaining "multiple blunt injuries," including a fracture to his skull.
Menard's report outlines a number of factors that contributed to his death, which has been ruled accidental. Vinnicombe was assigned operator of the machine without receiving "in-depth" training, there is no evidence "training on safe work practices and procedures had occurred at any time," and the employer's occupational health and safety program practices weren't regularly followed, the report stated.
Additionally, unsafe work conditions at the site were documented and ways of ensuring safety compliance were "non-existent or not enforced," by on-site supervisors.
The report also makes recommendations in the wake of Vinnicombe's death, including a call to develop a public education campaign to promote safe practices in mobile equipment operation and for employer's to engage in third party audits of their safety programs.
The guidelines were put forth to the Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission, NWT Federation of Labour, NWT and Nunavut Construction Association and the Northern Safety Association.
Despite calls for an inquest from Vinnicombe's family, the report ruled one would not be necessary.
Allen Services and Contracting Ltd. was fined $100,000 last month after being charged under the territory's Safety Act.
– Brendan Burke
Road to Inuvik Satellite Station to be named
Inuvik
The Town of Inuvik has received an application from Natural Resources Canada and Environment Canada to officially name the road to the Inuvik Satellite Station Facility and Upper Air Facility, stated information from the town.
The departments have applied to have it called Satellite Road.
– Samantha McKay
Man arrested after home-made liquor causes sickness
Deninu Ku'e/Fort Resolution
A 67-year-old man was charged with unlawful manufacture and sales of liquor in Fort Resolution on March 22 after several people reported feeling ill to the police after consuming the homemade alcohol. Police executed a search warrant after conducting an investigation in the community, arrested the man and seized 17 bottles of the homemade drinks.
– Tim Edwards