Nominee program, northern internet and NWT animals
Plus a tribute to Rosie Betthale-Reid
Hello there.
This is Ollie, Cabin Radio’s editor, stepping in for Emily (who’s been occupied covering a trial this week) with a slightly delayed copy of our weekly newsletter.
Our 10 picks to read from a busy week are below.
One of the top stories? Immigration. The NWT was all set to open up a key immigration program on Thursday but then announced a sudden reversal late on Wednesday night.
The program is now staying closed indefinitely because the federal government isn’t allowing the NWT to accept as many applicants as it had expected.
We’re still unpicking the reasons behind this and the consequences, and you can expect more reporting on that front soon.
In the meantime, our reporter Aastha Sethi has been hearing from people who are affected by this week’s unexpected change, like Maya (not her real name), who told us: “I am giving everything, but when it is time for return, I am not getting anything back. They are indirectly saying to us, ‘leave Canada.’ Nothing else.”
While a lot of important things happened this week, not everything was heavy. There were also unicorns at Yellowknife Ski Club and an announcement of more support for NWT first responders.
IN THIS NEWSLETTER
Our most important stories
What we’re watching
Stories to catch up on
1. The late Rosie Betthale-Reid was always there to help
"She would get you out of the rut." Rosie Betthale-Reid, a calming, uplifting influence in the Dehcho even at the most challenging times, passed away aged 70.
2. NWT student records stolen in much broader cyberattack
Data related to students at NWT schools was part of a far wider breach involving a piece of software named PowerSchool, the territorial government said.
3. CRTC orders creation of internet subsidy for northerners
A new subsidy to be paid to all northern households will lower the cost of getting online. Northwestel is also being ordered to reduce bills after long outages.
4. Health authority took 18 months to report counsellor’s unlawful notes
The NWT privacy commissioner said a counsellor acted unlawfully by adding notes to a social work file they found. NTHSSA took 18 months to report the breach.
5. EV charging corridor from Yellowknife to the south ‘ready in March’
A series of fast chargers making electric vehicle travel easier between Yellowknife and southern Canada will be ready for use by late March, the GNWT says. See also: how the GNWT hopes to get to a 90-percent emissions reduction by 2050.
6. Frederick Blake Jr is new Gwich’in grand chief, judge declares
Frederick Blake Jr was declared the new Gwich'in Tribal Council grand chief by an NWT Supreme Court judge after a court case about August's disputed election.
7. How NWT animals end up in museums across North America
From freezers to flesh-eating beetles, this is the extraordinary way in which NWT mice, voles and shrews are preserved in collections across North America.
8. Former Yellowknife councillor’s assault, sexual assault trial begins
A jury trial began for Robin Williams, accused of crimes including assault and sexual assault between 2014 and 2022. He has pleaded not guilty on all counts.
9. ‘Too big an impact.’ GNWT revising some community funding changes
The NWT government is racing to finalize a fresh approach to community funding after proposals drawn up last year received pushback.
10. Ekati’s food containers are subject of health complaints
An inspection faulted reusable food containers at the Ekati mine. A former worker said there are broader issues, while the mine operator defended its practices.
What we’re watching
As he began his run for the Liberal leadership, former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney used his NWT hometown to make a point on Jon Stewart's Daily Show.
Carney is from Fort Smith – he spent the first six years of his life there, then moved to Edmonton, where he staged his formal leadership bid announcement this week.
Having found a copy of his book Value(s) on the free shelf at the Co-op the other week, I’ve been working my way through that. I’m finding it hard going, although that may be because I get to it last thing at night and have about three minutes of energy left before falling asleep. I’ve read the same page about 11 times now. If you want a slightly quicker understanding of who he is and what he stands for, the Jon Stewart interview might be the easier option.
We’ll keep an eye on his leadership bid – there have not exactly been many prime ministers, or even federal party leaders, who were born in the North.