News Releases

Public Presentation on Bill C-300: Making Corporate Canada More Accountable Overseas

posted September 5, 2010

John McKay, the federal Member of Parliament sponsoring Bill C-300, will give a public presentation entitled Bill C-300: Making Corporate Canada More Accountable Overseas at

7:30 p.m. Thursday Sept. 9 at Northern United Place.

Bill C-300, An Act Respecting Corporate Accountability for Mining, Oil and Gas Corporations in Developing Countries is intended to:

"promote responsible environmental practices and international human rights standards on the part of Canadian mining, oil and gas corporations in developing countries...(and) ensure that corporations engaged on mining, oil or gas activities and receiving support from the Government of Canada act in a manner consistent with international environmental best practices and with Canada’s commitments to international human rights standards."

The Bill will come forward for debate in the House of Commons on September 20 and a final vote will likely take place in October. Information and a copy of the Bill can be found on Mr. McKay’s website.

Submission to Chief Federal Negotiator

posted June 25, 2010

Alternative North's submission to the Chief Federal Negotiator, John Pollard, on so-called Northern Regulatory Reform.

Presentation to the National Energy Board

posted April 18, 2010

The National Energy Board (NEB) for the proposed Mackenzie Gas Project (MGP) held a hearing for Final Arguments in Yellowknife during the week of April 12. Alternatives North presented its position, making the argument that there is clearly no justification for the NEB to grant a certificate to the proponents.

And, Alternatives North made the news the previous week during a hearing on economic feasibility of the project. Our efforts were captured in an editorial cartoon.

(Added May 24, 2010) During the Final Argument, AN had a chance to reply to the other intervenors that went after our presentation in Yellowknife.

Response to GNWT Health Care Benefits Consultation

posted April 9, 2010

Alternatives North is calling on the GNWT to ensure access to supplemental health care benefits is universal and paid for through the tax system, not by co-payments or premiums schemes that create a tax on sickness and disability.

Please read the news release and our response to the Supplemental Health Benefits paper.

NWT Anti-Poverty Strategy

posted February 11, 2010

Supporters of an NWT Anti-Poverty Strategy gathered at the Legislative Assembly for MLA Wendy Bisaro's presentation to Premier Floyd Roland of reports detailing the causes and effects of poverty in the Northwest Territories. The presentation was followed by debate in the Legislative Assembly of the need for an Anti-Poverty Strategy.

Records of Members Statements and Questions can be reviewed at the Legislative Assembly website with references to the Strategy on pages 6, 9, 19 and 28. A Motion calling for a Strategy will be debated in the coming days.

In the attached picture of the presentation group, Ms. Bisaro and Mr. Roland were joined by (left to right) Bree Denning (Centre for Northern Families), Lorraine Phaneuf and Annemieke Mulders (NWT Status of Women Council), Aggie Brockman (Alternatives North), Dayle Handy (Yellowknife Homelessness Coalition), Wendy Bisaro, Floyd Roland, Ben McDonald (Alternatives North), Julie Green (YWCA Yellowknife), Mira Hall (Centre for Northern Families).

All those supporting this objective are urged to pass resolutions or motions of support which can be forwarded to the Government. Contact Craig Yeo at for information on creating your resolution.

GNWT Urged to Create Anti-Poverty Strategy

posted January 23, 2010 - updated February 26, 2010

An alliance (updated August 21, 2010) of 23 leading NWT social justice advocates including three municipal governments have called on the territorial government to create an Anti-Poverty Strategy.

Please also look at other Anti-Poverty Strategies, NWT Poverty Statistics, Documents Gift List,  and the Anti-Poverty Stategy Motion (added Feb 26, 2010).

More Revenues, Smarter Taxes and Better Public Services

posted October 18, 2009

ACTION ALERT--More Revenues, Smarter Taxes and Better Public Services!--November 2, 2009 Deadline

Send comments to GNWT to help make a fairer, smarter tax system. Get further information here.

A Fair Price

posted October 18, 2009

A Fair Price is a Parkland Institute report in response to the Government of the Northwest Territories (Government, GNWT) public consultation on the subject of raising its revenues in order to address a projected budget shortfall. This report discusses the government’s two consultation documents: the Revenue Options Paper and the Revenue Options Summary. It then examines the tax proposals discussed in those documents. The report was released in October 2008.

City of Yellowknife Election Forum 2009: The Debate

posted October 12, 2009 - updated October 16, 2009

The City of Yellowknife councillor and mayoral candidates were given 3 'mock' motions in advance of the forum, each with background information. Candidates were then randomly selected into 3 'debating groups', and randomly given a motion to debate. Afterwards, candidates were invited to submit a brief written response to all three motions (total 300 words maximum).

All Candidates Forum

posted October 2, 2009

Yellowknife City Council All Candidates Forum hosted by Alternatives North.

Thursday, October 8, 2009 @ 7-10 pm
City Council Chambers

Watch the Mayor and Council candidates debate issues in a mock Council session! Can they co-operate to get things done? See attached poster.

Income Security for All Canadians

posted September 20, 2009

A workshop on "Income Security for All Canadians" will occur in Ottawa, October 1 & 2, 2009. A poster for the event is attached. Mira Hall, northern Board Member with Canada Without Poverty and an Alternatives North activist, will be attending. Those wishing to offer input or get further information can contact her at .

Submission to Standing Committee on Finance

posted August 14, 2009

Alternatives North has registered to present to the federal government's Standing Committee on Finance when it is in Yellowknife in September for a stop during its cross-country pre-budget consultation tour. Part of the registration process required the submission of a five page brief that was submitted August 14th.

Canadian Index of Wellbeing

posted June 9, 2009

The Canadian Index of Wellbeing (CIW) is the signature product of the Institute of Wellbeing. The CIW is a new way of measuring wellbeing that goes beyond narrow economic measures like GDP.

Canadian Index of Wellbeing website

Poverty Reduction Policies and Programs: Northwest Territories

posted May 28, 2009

Alternatives North looks at poverty reduction policies and programs in the NWT in a new paper produced as part of a Social Development Report Series, commissioned by the Canadian Council on Social Development. "Poverty Reduction Policies and Programs: Northwest Territories" author, Jeffrey Wilson, highlights the disparities between those who made economic gains in the past decade and those who are bearing the social costs of Canada's fastest growing economy. The paper calls for a comprehensive poverty reduction strategy so all NWT citizens can share in the potential and promise of the NWT.

Poverty Reduction Policies and Programs: Northwest Territories
Report
News Release

Affordable Housing Talk

posted May 6, 2009

Alternatives North has arranged a public presentation by Tim Wake, an Affordable Housing consultant, Thursday, May 14 at 7 PM in the Yellowknife Public Library Meeting Room.

Tim is coming to Yellowknife to help the City develop an Affordable Housing Strategy. He will speak on his work in other communities and the "eight tools" municipalities can use to promote the development of affordable housing. Tim's recent work has focused on ways to create "non-market housing" in addition to the traditional continuum of social housing and market housing.

Life Before Pharmacare

posted December 2, 2008

Alternatives North has distributed a news release relating to the release of the Canadian Health Coalition report, Life Before Pharmacare.

Although the report is national in scope, it does include stories and issues raised by Northerners during the Yellowknife stop of the tour it describes.

Please also see a copy of the full 35 page report.

A Fair Price

posted November 24, 2008

David Thompson, a research associate with the Parkland Institute and author of "A Fair Price: Taxation, Services and Programs in the Northwest Territories," made a presentation to the GNWT Standing Committee on Priorities and Planning proposing new revenue options the territorial government could consider. Here is the presentation he used.

Also see the original Report and Executive Summary.

Invitation to Public Event

posted November 16, 2008

A Fair Price: Taxation Services and Programs in the NWT
A progressive view on public programs and taxes

Guest Speaker: David Thompson, economist and researcher with the Parkland Institute

Location: Public Service Alliance of Canada Boardroom
4916 49th Street

Wednesday, November 19th, at noon
Lunch provided by the Union of Northern Workers.

Download the event flyer.

Response to Revenue Options Consultation Paper

posted November 10, 2008

As a result of negative public reaction to announced plans to cut public services without looking at alternatives, the Government of the Northwest Territories initiated a consultation process about options to increase revenues. Alternatives North prepared analysis and recommendations in response to the government's materials. The relevant media release also appears.

Alternatives North AGM

posted October 9, 2008

Alternatives North will be holding our AGM on Wednesday, October 22 at noon. It will be in our regular meeting spot, PSAC boardroom (4916 49th Street). The AGM Information Package is available for download. It includes the Annual Report and Financials.

We look forward to seeing you on the 22nd!

Response to McCrank Report

posted August 28, 2008

Alternatives North has prepared a response to the McCrank Report "Road to Improvement." See the news release.

You can read the full report on INAC's website.

The Human Impact of Climate Change

posted May 2, 2008

As part of Alternatives North's public lecture series, Mark Fried, of Oxfam Canada, will speak in Yellowknife on Thursday evening about The Human Impact of Climate Change. Hear why relief and development agency Oxfam sees climate change as a key issue in the fight against poverty and inequality. The talk will start at 7:30 p.m., Thursday May 14th in the auditorium at the Prince of Wales museum. See the event poster.

Afghanistan, Mission Impossible

posted Feb 17, 2008

Alternatives North presents the public lecture "Afghanistan, Mission Impossible" by Dr. Michael Byers, Author of "Intent for a nation".

Thursday, February 21st - 7:00 p.m.
Meeting Rooms, Yellowknife City Library

Territorial residents surveyed on labour issues

posted August 31, 2007

The Northern Territories Federation of Labour, in partnership with its largest affiliate, the Public Service Alliance of Canada and its Union of Northern Workers component, recently commissioned a survey of labour issues affecting residents in the Northwest Territories. More information can be found in this article.

Canada's Role in Afghanistan

posted May 13, 2007

A Community Discussion on Canada's Role in Afghanistan is taking place Thursday, May 17, 2007 at 7 pm at Northern United Place.

Guest speaker is peace activist and organizer Patricia Hartnagel, of Edmonton. She has been involved in Project Ploughshares, Edmonton Coalition Against War and the Edmonton chapter of Women in Black. This event is sponsored by Alternatives North with assistance from the Public Service Alliance of Canada North and the NWT Area Council.

A Peace Flix mini-film festival is also happening Saturday, May 19 from 1:30 - 4:30 pm at the Yellowknife Library Meeting Room.

Read Ms. Hartnagel's speaking notes: "Canada's Role in Afghanistan: Costs and Consequences"

More more information, check out the event poster.

Iraq Veterans Memorial Video

posted March 16, 2007

We are proud and honored to present to you the Iraq Veterans Memorial.

This memorial was conceived as a place to honor the servicemembers who lost their lives over the past four years during the Iraq War. By watching the videos, you will have the opportunity to learn about these heroes from those who knew them best -- their family, friends, and fellow servicemembers. Each man and woman represented in the memorial had attributes and qualities that made them unique, but they all have one thing in common - they were truly loved and are deeply missed.

Watch the movie on YouTube.

Iraq Veterans Memorial Trailer

posted March 5, 2007

On March 17th, www.iraqmemorial.org will release a video memorial to honor the servicemen and women who have lost their lives in the Iraq War. We hope that everyone who views the memorial will have an opportunity to learn a little bit about the people who went to war in Iraq. Through the words of family members, friends, and fellow service members, the spirit of these heroes will never be forgotten."

Watch the Iraq Veterans Memorial Trailer (YouTube Video).

The full video will be released on March 17th.

Public Lecture - "What happens when the mine closes"

posted February 12, 2007

presented by Dr. David Leadbeater, Professor of Economics, Laurentian University

Thursday, February 22nd @ 7:30 p.m.
Room 205, Northern United Place
Read the Poster!

Conscience Canada Peace Tax Returns

posted February 12, 2007

The Conscience Canada Peace Tax Return is for those persons who object to military spending on grounds of principle/conscience and wish to declare their objection to the Canadian government. It is not an official Income Tax and Benefit Return form but Conscience Canada hopes that a version of it one day will be part of the return produced by Canada Revenue Agency. There is legislation before the House that would permit a redirection of taxes to the Peace Tax Fund and using this form now will support that objective.

For more information, have a look at
http://www.consciencecanada.ca/taxes/

Annual General Meeting

posted December 6, 2006

Alternatives North has scheduled its Annual General Meeting for

Wednesday, December 13, 2006 @ 12 noon
PSAC Boardroom - 4916 49th Street
Yellowknife, NWT

Download the official meeting notice, proposed Agenda, and financial statements.

Daycare

News Release on the NWT Child Care Crisis

Complaint filed against northern newspaper chain

Alternatives North, a social justice coalition operating in the NWT, has filed a formal complaint with the Ontario Press Council (OPC) against an editorial policy of the NWT's largest newspaper chain, Northern News Services Ltd. (NNSL). NNSL is a member of the OPC, an industry-run organization that offers a complaints resolution process to readers who feel a newspaper has done something unfair or improper.

Third Anniversary of the invasion of Iraq

To mark the third anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, Alternatives North will be hosting a screening of Let Them Stay - Voices of US War Resisters in Canada, a 30-minute video featuring one-on-one interviews with soldiers, documenting their life-changing experiences in Iraq and the realities of US military recruitment and warfare. You can find out more info at www.resisters.ca

Tuesday March 21st at noon in the YWCA Boardroom, 5004 50 Ave.

For more information, please contact France Benoit at 873-1101.

Wal-Mart Documentary

Thursday, November 17th, 2005 at 7:30 pm: Public Screening of
Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price

A 2nd screening will be on Thursday, January 12th, 2006.

International Women's Week Calendar of Events

International Women's Week Calendar of Events