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November 14, 2003

Orphaned polar bears get new home

The two orphaned polar bears who were captured near Kuujjuaq in September are to have a new permanent home in Quebec. Next March, the two will settle into the wildlife zoo in St-Félicien, north of Quebec City.

Sam Hamad, Quebec's minister of natural resources, made the announcement last week in Quebec City.

"This is an arrangement that will meet the needs of all those who are involved," Hamad said.

The bears have been staying at Quebec City's zoo, but according to Elaine Dumais, a spokesperson for the zoo, the St-Félicien facility will be able to offer the bears more space as they grow larger.

The two will spend the winter at the Calgary zoo, and return in the spring to their new home.

The bears still don't officially have names. A contest was held to choose names, but the winning names have not been finalized, Dumais said.

In their efforts to find the best home for the two bears, the two Quebec zoos worked with the Calgary Zoo, the Centre for Polar Bears Conservation and Educational Habitat in Cochrane, Ont., and Quebec's centre for northern conservation, the Centre de Conservation de la Biodiversité Boréale.

November 14, 2003

More money for northern science students

The federal Northern Scientific Training Program will see more money this year. Beginning in the fall of 2004, its annual budget will increase to $1 million. Last year, 30 universities asked for $1.3 million - and received $636,000.

This program allows Canadian students of northern science to go out in the field for research projects. It also considers applications from Canadian students who want to study in other circumpolar nations.

Since 1961, the program has spent $18.6 million and helped 7,000 students. The money pays for transportation, living expenses, cargo and interpreter fees for field work.

"As other nations discover the significance of the Arctic, more international research teams are gathering in our North," said Indian and Northern Affairs minister Robert Nault in a press release. "Our objective is to increase the number of graduate and other advanced students within Canadian universities who have specialized in some aspects of northern studies and who have northern research experience."

According to polar bear scientist Dr. Ian Stirling, more money for the program should help interest students in northern research. Stirling, 62, said there are few northern scientists under 45.

"It's going to take a while to see a new research cohort in the North - and one that includes Inuit," Stirling said.

November 14, 2003

QIA elections Dec. 8

Inuit beneficiaries in the Baffin region will go to the polls Dec. 8 to elect a secretary-treasurer for the Qikiqtani Inuit Association, and community directors in four communities.

Three people will challenge incumbent secretary-treasurer Joe Attagutaluk of Igloolik. They are: Limikie Illauq of Clyde River, Oolanie Kakkee of Qikiqtarjuaq, and Joe Adla Kunuk of Iqaluit.

Twelve people will run for the community director position in Arctic Bay: Josia Akpaliapik, Johnny Attagutsiak, Peoyok Enoogoo, Jobie Issigaitok, David Kalluk, Olayou Kigutikarjuk, Olayuk Naqitarvik, Zipporah Oyukuluk, Simon Qamanirq, Andrew Taqtu, Juda Taqut, and Tommy Tatuarpik.

Five people will run for community director in Qikiqtarjuaq: Loasie Audlakiak, Eliyah Kakudluk, Jacopie Kokseak, Koalie Kooneeliusie, and Meeka Newkinga.

Two people will run for community director in Sanikiluaq: Joe Arragutainaq, and Mary Inuktaluk Sr.

In Grise Fiord, Larry Audlaluk was the only candidate nominated for community director and will be acclaimed.

November 14, 2003

Power Corp. deficit up last year

The Nunavut Power Corp. lost $7.978 million during the 2002-03 fiscal year, its second full year of operations, according to financial statements in the corporations second annual report.

That's $2.828 million more than it lost in 2001-02, its first full year, excluding expenses incurred when the NPC separated from the Northwest Territories Power Corp.

The NPC's second annual report, covering the fiscal year ending March 31, 2003, was tabled last week in the Nunavut legislative assembly.

In a "management discussion and analysis" attached to the financial statements, the corporation attributes the loss to lower than expected power sales, higher salaries and wages, higher supply and service expenses, the removal of a fuel rider on April 1, 2002, and a rate freeze that is in effect until March 31, 2004.

The company says it's unlikely to return to profitability until after a new rate structure application is approved during the 2005-05 fiscal year, and after its corporate reorganization is finished.

Right now, the company's biggest worry is its rising debt-equity ratio - which means the total amount of long-term debt that it owes in comparison to the value of its assets.

It's debt-equity ratio right now is 3.98 - which means that it owes nearly four times more money than the value of its assets.

That exceeds the debt-equity ratio of 3.0 prescribed by the Nunavut Public Utilities Act.

"The corporation has introduced measures to control expenditures and intends to submit a general rate application before the end of the current fiscal year," the company says.

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