October 27, 2006

Canadian North challenges food mail contract

Inuit-owned airline says $175 million contract process “rigged”

JIM BELL

The Canadian North airline alleges that Indian and Northern Affairs and Canada Post may have “rigged” last year’s $175-million, five-year food mail contract award to the Makivik Corp.’s First Air – and they’re seeking to have the decision overturned through a complaint lodged with the Canadian International Trade Tribunal, or “CITT.”

”It was rigged in favour of our competitor,” Christie Sinclair, director of business development for Norterra, Canadian North’s parent company, told the Qikiqtani Inuit Association in Iqaluit last week.

The tribunal, which reports to Parliament, normally deals with complaints about international trade. But the CITT also may hear complaints about federal government procurement decisions.

Uranium firm opens Baker Lake office

Areva seeks community support for mine and mill on Inuit land

JANE GEORGE

Areva Resources Canada Ltd., owner of Kiggavik and Sissons uranium properties 80 kilometres west of Baker Lake, officially opened a liaison office this week in Baker Lake, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a feast for the entire community.

Areva, based in Saskatchewan, wants to build a uranium mine at the site.

Areva is the second-largest uranium mining company in Canada and its parent company in France is the second largest in the world, said Kiggavik’s project manager, Barry McCallum.

With more than 100 million pounds of uranium, the Kiggavik-Sissons mine would add considerably to the company’s uranium production, he said.