Walter Strong

No money to include the North in next international survey of literacy and numeracy

The next international survey of adult literacy and numeracy would have provided a snapshot of the North more than 10 years after the first survey. But there's no money for the North to participate this time. The previous OECD survey of adult…

N.W.T. median household incomes highest in Canada, but numbers vary widely by community

Median household incomes vary widely across the Northwest Territories according to the latest data published by the NWT Bureau of Statistics, but overall they exceed the national average by a wide margin. The bureau recently reported that in 2020, 14…

In choosing whether to expel one of their own, N.W.T. MLAs face unprecedented decision

N.W.T. legislators face an unprecedented decision in whether to remove a fellow MLA from his election position, writes the CBC's Walter Strong. Legislators in the Northwest Territories face a historic moment — they must decide whether to expel one of…

Climate change puts North Water Polynya, a source of Arctic life, in imminent danger

A keystone structure in Canada's High Arctic is under threat of collapse, and it would take with it a globally unique and fertile piece of the Arctic ecosystem, according to a new report published in the journal Nature Communications. A keystone…

Should the N.W.T. gov't build a $6M sobering centre in downtown Yellowknife?

The Northwest Territories government is looking to award a contract worth an estimated $6 million to design and build a new day shelter and sobering centre in downtown Yellowknife, but a business owner near the proposed location says it's a bad…

Setting the (temperature) record straight in the Northwest Territories

It was hot at the end of June throughout much of the Northwest Territories, but no all-time, territory-wide weather records were broken, at least not officially. During that heatwave a temperature sensor at the Fort Smith airport recorded 39.9…

Fort Smith had its hottest day in 80 years: preliminary data

Fort Smith, N.W.T., broke a heat record almost 80 years old Wednesday afternoon, according to preliminary data. Environment Canada reports that the thermometer hit 39.9 C Wednesday at 5 p.m. The previous hottest day in Fort Smith was on July 18,…

Federal court judge rules in favour of Acho Dene Koe First Nation member's complaint about election delay

A federal court judge has ruled that the N.W.T. Acho Dene Koe First Nation chief and council overstepped their powers when they extended their term of office last year. The judgment could have ramifications for other First Nations whose elections…

Ottawa blocks Chinese takeover of Nunavut gold mine project after national security review

TMAC Resources Inc. says that the Government of Canada has rejected a proposal for it to sell its Hope Bay gold project in Nunavut to Shandong Gold Mining Co. Ltd., a Chinese company. A $230-million deal for a Chinese company to purchase a gold mine…

Community radio and TV stations in Hay River temporarily off air

Community radio and TV stations in Hay River are temporarily off the air after the societies that run them learned power to the building they broadcast out of was to be cut . Community radio and TV stations in Hay River are temporarily off the air…

Yellowknife pool reopening plan could be approved by end of next week

The City of Yellowknife's proposed plan to reopen the Ruth Inch Memorial Poll, which includes reduced capacity and specific time limits, is being reviewed by the territorial department of Health. Yellowknife's community pool could be cleared to…

Crown calls for jail time for former girls' basketball coach in sexual assault of minor

Stephen Freake pleaded guilty earlier this year to a sex crime involving in minor. In N.W.T. Territorial Court Friday, a judge considered Freake's sentence. In N.W.T. Territorial Court on Friday, Stephen Freake — a former volunteer girls' basketball…

Yellowknife RCMP commander on his almost 12 years in the North

After nearly 12 years with Yellowknife RCMP, Insp. Alex Laporte is leaving the North. His most recent posting in Yellowknife was a detachment commander. After nearly 12 years with Yellowknife RCMP, Insp. Alex Laporte is leaving the North. His most…

'Everything is connected': Aklavik's beluga whale harvest challenged on multiple fronts

The beluga whale harvest out of Aklavik, in the Northwest Territories, is down but not out. From a high of 35 whales harvested in 1981, it has hit zero twice in the past five years. New study done in conjunction with the N.W.T. community identifies…

Illegal dumping at Yellowknife sandpits sparks citizen cleanup effort

The sandpits past the Yellowknife airport are not a dump, but some people treat them that way. The sandpits just past the Yellowknife airport are not a dump, but some people are treating them that way. The area's wide-open spaces, small ponds and…

Spike in gold prices due to uncertainty, hedge against inflation, says mining economist

Gold rose to more than $1,800 USD an ounce in July after floating around $1,300 USD an ounce for the past few years. Gold hasn't been this high since September 2011. That's good news for gold producers already pouring gold bars, but the Northwest…

N.W.T. man convicted of murder to get court-appointed lawyer to consider possible appeal

Kevin Mantla’s application for a court-appointed to lawyer to help with his appeal was approved by the N.W.T. Supreme Court on Friday. Kevin Mantla’s application for a court-appointed lawyer approved by N.W.T. Supreme Court Kevin Mantla, convicted in…

Cinnamon-coloured bear with distinctive neck spotted in Fort Good Hope

A bear sighting in Fort Good Hope, N.W.T., over the weekend caused a bit of a stir. It's not that bears are unusual in that neck of the woods — even cinnamon-coloured bears like this one have been seen before — what has people talking is the length…

'They get around': Pelicans spotted as far north as Kugluktuk, Nunavut

The arrival of pelicans in Kugluktuk, Nunavut, was a surprise, but it's a sign of healthy pelican colonies in general, and in particular of the colony near Fort Smith, N.W.T. There’s a healthy colony of pelicans in Fort Smith, N.W.T., now some are…

From mobile concerts to virtual fireworks on your phone: Canada Day in the North COVID-19 style

If Canada Day in the North normally means fun under the midnight sun, parades, street vendors and large crowds of friends, family, neighbours and strangers — there's always next year. This year's July 1 celebrations will be much more pandemic…