People travelling in and out of the capital will have a new flight plan to consider this fall.
Air Canada is set to offer twice daily flights between Yellowknife and Vancouver starting this September.
In a joint news release, Air Canada and the Government of the Northwest Territories stated an increased demand from the tourism industry as the reason for implementing the new flight plan, particularly from the Asian-tourism market.
"Direct and non-stop flights between Yellowknife and Vancouver let us better cater to the growing number of travellers from Asia," stated Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment Wally Schumann.
Air Canada has previously offered direct flights to Vancouver between December 2017 and April 2018, however due to the increased demand, the flight plan will be offered year-round with a second daily flight occurring during the winter months.
– Dylan Short
Margot Kidder's death ruled a suicide
Superman actress Margot Kidder's death at the age of 69 has been ruled a suicide, the Associated Press reported this week.
The Yellowknife-born "Superman" film series actress was found by a friend in her Montana home on May 13.
Reports at the time stated Kidder passed away peacefully in her sleep.
A statement released Wednesday by the Park County, Montana coroner said she "died as a result of a self-inflicted drug and alcohol overdose" and that no further details would be released, the AP reported.
Kidder was born in Yellowknife and lived in the city for three years. After acting, Kidder became an environmental activist and advocate for mental health initiatives.
Lois Lane in Old Town is named after Kidder's role in the Superman franchise.
– James O'Connor
Downtown Javaroma to close on Sundays
Local coffeehouse Javaroma will no longer open its downtown location on Sundays.
Owner Fadli Menddi cited the need to give his employees a break after 10 years of being open seven days a week.
"We've been working hard, families have been working hard. So we barely have any time to work with each other, because if I'm not working, the other guys working," he said.
With the downtown location closing, there will no longer be any cafes or coffee shops open downtown on Sundays.
– Dylan Short
Chamber calls for nominations
The Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce is currently accepting nominations for the 2018 Business Award Gala.
There are nine different award categories that a business can be nominated for including, Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Award, Trailblazers Women in Business Award and Breakout New Business Award. Anyone can nominate a business online as long as that business has been operating for three years and is a member of the Chamber.
Businesses can be nominated for more than one category.
Nominations are open until Aug. 24, with the gala itself set to take place on Oct. 14.
– Dylan Short
Pool and pipeline replacement could sideline $11M in capital projects
The city will see capital infrastructure projects roll over into 2020 and 2021, as it grapples with big-ticket items, including the aquatic centre and replacement of the city's main water line.
The upcoming budget recommends staffing increases and prioritizes capital projects along with rolling projects that aren't bound by regulatory obligations or prior commitments into following years.
Yellowknife's population has not grown but levels of services have stayed the same or increased, said Sharolynn Woodward, the city's director of corporate services during Thursday's special municipal services council meeting.
The deferment of capital projects to 2021 will accumulate in more than $11-million of projects that won't be achievable, before the budget even integrates council-led initiatives.
The aquatic centre and pipeline will produce a jump in $8.8-million in required capital projects that won't be achievable in 2020, where the city's expenditures near $48-million and other projects will be bumped to 2021.
The city ranks its projects according to importance, including regulatory requirements.
The municipality will take on $21-million in capital projects in 2019, with $1-million in projects that are unachievable.
In 2021, the city will take on $39-million in capital projects, with an $11-million shortfall for projects in that year.
The city is nearing its debt limit, and will use up to 90 per cent of its debt limits as mandated under the Cities, Towns and Villages Act.
– Avery Zingel
Four organizations get $180,000 in accessibility funding
Four institutions in the territory, including two churches, have gotten a total of more than $180,000 in federal funding to improve accessibility for people with mobility issues.
The Cavalry Community Church, a Baptist church in Yellowknife, received $50,000 for the installation of a ramp and automatic doors.
The Catholic church in Inuvik, Our Lady of Victory Parish, got $31,542 for a wheelchair ramp, the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre got $50,000 for automated accessible doors and the
Hay River Metis Government Council received $50,000 for a wheelchair accessible sidewalk, door and vestibule.
"I hate to think of someone being left out because we didn't have accessibility, especially when there's piano concerts here or recitals or choirs singing here," Pastor Randy Loewen said from the pulpit of the Cavalry Community Church on Thursday. "For me this brings great joy."
The money comes through the Enabling Accessibility Fund, which grants funding to non-profits, for-profits, municipalities, Indigenous organizations and territorial governments
"Organizations like the Cavalry Community Church and Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre are making a difference, a real positive change, in the lives of Canadians and especially with
Northerners with disabilities," said MP Michael McLeod.
– Sidney Cohen