GNWT ripped by biz group for red tape
The 2018 Red Tape Report Card reveals solid progress by several governments in the fight against excessive government regulation, needless paperwork, and redundant rules, stated a news release this week.
However, the NWT is at the bottom of the class, receiving the most F grades out of any jurisdiction in Canada, for failing to support any comprehensive strategy for measuring, reporting or controlling the regulatory burden, the news release stated.
"The government of NWT refuses to be accountable for the regulatory burden," stated Amber Ruddy, director for CFIB. "While taking responsibility for red tape can be challenging, experience shows that it can be done if there is the will. By showing strong leadership and adopting comprehensive measurement, NWT has a clear path to being
the improved jurisdiction in next year's report."
The report card grades governments using three criteria: strong leadership, comprehensive measurement, and whether or not the government has made a commitment to control the growth of regulation.
This year, three provinces – British Columbia, Quebec and Manitoba – received A grades, which is the most since the introduction of the report card in 2005.
A request was made for response from Louis Sebert, minister responsible for public engagement and transparency, but didn't hear back by press time.
Look for more on this story in Friday's Yellowknifer.
– James O'Connor
PowerBoat Television motors North
The popular Canadian outdoor show PowerBoat Television will feature a stop in Yellowknife this, its 27th season.
Featuring host Steven Pull, the Great Slave Yacht Club – the Northern-most club in the country – will be explored in the and the March 17 airing on Global Television at 11 a.m. PowerBoat TV is a weekly half-hour television show focusing on power boats and the boating lifestyle.
– Michael Hugall
New crosswalk ready
A new controlled crosswalk at the intersection of the Chateau Nova Hotel and Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre in Yellowknife is operational.
The crosswalk – in addition to recently installed lighting and pedestrian pathway – greatly improves visibility and safety for pedestrians and motorists, stated a GNWT news release Tuesday.
– James O'Connor
City ups ante in efforts to buy local
Council was presented with a procurement policy that, if adopted, would set a target for local spending at 85 per cent of the city's annual expenditures.
In a June 20, 2017 letter to the mayor and council, the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce noted hitting the 85 per cent target is possible with "minor revisions" to current spending practices.
President Renee Comeau and executive director Deneen Everett wrote that in 2016, the share of city dollars spent in town was 83 per cent.
The policy would call on city administration to seek out information from Yellowknife vendors.
– Sidney Cohen