I decided this morning that I would try to extend my coverage of my commentary on air travel (and who knows maybe pick up a reader or two) and fired off this email to my MP, my MLA, the Prime Minister, several cabinet ministers, Senator Adams, and the leaders of the Liberal and NDP parties.
I am a resident of Arctic Bay, on North Baffin Island in Canada's High Arctic. Given the amount of attention that the Arctic is receiving these days I thought you might be interested in some of the costs of living here.
If the Federal Government really wishes to improve the lives of the people who live in the North they must address the issue that impacts absolutely every aspect of our lives up here, the cost of travel. The high cost of air flights (It costs me fifteen times as much per kilometre of travel to fly from Arctic Bay/Nanisivik to Iqaluit as someone flying from Vancouver to Halifax. Eighteen times as much per kilometre as someone traveling from Toronto to Sydney Australia) keeps all levels of government up here from fully implementing their programs, because of the amount of money spent on travel that could be used otherwise. Look at the total travel budgets of the GON and the Federal Government for Nunavut, and ask yourselves if this could not be money better spent.
As a Canadian, my standard of living should not be significantly lower then Canadians living elsewhere in the country, and yet it is. Most of this can be laid at the feet of Air Transportation costs. There is much talk about sovereignty in the Arctic these days, but sovereignty is not built by Naval ships patrolling our waters for three or four months of the year, it is built on the lives of the people who live here. They should not have to pay significantly more than the rest of the country in order to keep living here, to keep this country's real presence in the north, and yet it does.
I have written a couple of posts recently on the blog I write about life in the Arctic that you may wish to read. There are two that relate to Air Travel in the North, one a general one on air travel and the North and one with some cost breakdowns and comparisons. I think that you might be interested in what they say.
In closing I really believe that it is time for the Federal Government to intervene in this issue. This is a social justice issue, and your dollars (and subsequently mine) could be better spent up here than lining the pockets of the airline industry. I encourage you all to fly up to Arctic Bay/Nanisivik, not by Government plane but by commercial airline (don't announce it or your frozen sandwich might be thawed first). Book the ticket yourselves rather than having an assistant do so, see what it is really like to travel in my world. When you are here, take a walk around our stores and look at what air freight adds to our grocery bills.
Regards,
Clare Kines
Arctic Bay
Comments
9 responses
This has been the case for many, many years. Back in the 80’s, the government used to subsidize travel and housing but they no longer do that. What I find ridiculous is the fact that in the North, we are in the business of producing oil, gas, diamonds , and nickel to name a few goods. Those are some of the most sought out and valuable natural resources, yet our cost of living is 15 times more than the rest of Canada. Where do all those millions of dollars go?
Recently, the GNWT is looking into subsidizing milk because the price of milk in small communities (when compared to Yk) is VERY high. Of course the angle used in this case is that milk will benefit kids, educations and the overall health of a community over time.
NU, NWT and Yukon, make up only about 1% of the total Canadian population. Our voices are not loud enough to be heard. But I bet if we stopped the flow of the natural resources mentioned above, the feds would start paying attention pretty quick!
BTW, I am a new reader to your blog.
Bravo Clare! I get so frustrated every time I hear a politician, of whatever political stripe say something along the lines of “Yes, yes we understand your frustrations and concerns and are working towards a solution.” I was told by an older colleague back when I started out teaching that government is very good at attracting people to the North, but does a poor job at keeping them there. I can only imagine what it must be like for people who have been here longer than me (and that number is starting to dwindle a little) or for those people who were born and grew up here.
Perhaps the powers that be should look at Greenland, light years ahead of here in terms of investment and infrastructure as an example….assuming of course they could locate it on a map.
Could your letter be sent to News/North and Nunatsiaq News? Perhaps their readership might also start a letter writing campaign. With your permission I would like to reference your letter, to send some of my own.
Well said, Clare! I’d love to see a response to your eloquent letter. Even better, it would be amazing if an official actually took you up on the suggestion to take a flight.
Nice! I am looking forward to seeing what type of responses you will receive.
And echoing Mike’s sentiments, I truly hope that someone takes you up on your offer!
Hey Jason, welcome. I remember the days of airline fare regulation, and the trumpeting about how fares would drop. Of course they dropped on routes between the popular cities, but rose whenever you had to take that expensive turn North. One thing that amazes me (hmm perhaps I feel a post coming on) is how Government, who have huge purchasing power on the Northern Routes, don’t demand better prices. As a consumer it is far in their interest.
Thanks Darcy. There is so much that a lower cost of living could do to attract people here, and make it easier on those who have lived here all of their lives. So people wouldn’t feel like prisoners in their own communities.
Hi Indigo. I didn’t send the letter to the newspapers. Perhaps I should. Some are already aware of my posts. APTN did a story, outlining fare comparisons this past week.
Thanks Mike. So far there has been one acknowledgement of receipt of the email – from the leader of the opposition’s office – A form response but one none-the-less. These days it would surprise me greatly if any actually took the flight. Federally at least, I get the feeling that the issue is very much on the Government of Nunavut’s radar. Certainly on our MLA’s it is.
Thanks bearswife. It remains to be seen. Hmm.. I should have sent it to Sheila Fraser as well.
This is such an important issue Clare, with far reaching effects that go well beyond the obvious links we can all make. I think one hint you make is how northerners are being held hostage by the fares. Southern Canadians fly south for a few hundred dollars to the sunny beaches when they feel depressed. Northerners don’t have that option. Sadly, many take another, and more final, route out…
Canadians in the southern parts beleive Canada will always be like it is. But without a presents in the North that can all change quite quickly. Every person who lives in the southern parts should start to look up north. And place a value on it and it’s residents. Bryan and Vikki thehappytrappers
Hi Bryan and Vikki.
You’re right of course, I also think that one of Government’s roles should be to see that all of their citizens have at least access to the same standard of living, no matter where they live. That is clearly not the case in the far north, and much of that can be laid squarely on the feet of the airlines.