Inuvik is one of the best places ISA国际影视传媒檝e ever lived, and itSA国际影视传媒檚 not just nice for a Northern town.
It's remote but still classically Canadian, a little bit Wild West and extremely friendly.
The only problem is the economy.
I walk around town and wonder, whatSA国际影视传媒檚 someone supposed to do here?
What jobs are there?
What opportunities do they have if they stay?
Maybe they could get one of the trades jobs or a government position but this townSA国际影视传媒檚 not screaming opportunity.
I wasnSA国际影视传媒檛 here when Inuvik was bustling. I canSA国际影视传媒檛 quite understand why leadership seems so blas茅 about its current state.
Town council rarely seems in a rush to do anything. They talk about writing letters to various government ministers concerning issues affecting the town but then defer doing that, hoping they can bring them up next time the minister is in town.
SA国际影视传媒淗ouse is burning down. ISA国际影视传媒檒l bring it up when I see the fire chief at the caf茅 next week.SA国际影视传媒�
This place is on its way to becoming a ghost town if something doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 change.
Only the government can prop up a place like this when thereSA国际影视传媒檚 no natural economy. ThatSA国际影视传媒檚 hardly a sustainable long-term plan but in a situation like this, perhaps the GNWT should consider giving the region a shot of life.
It would be a net loss, as all government spending is, but Northern Canada is in a unique situation with regard to usual economic principles. If the territorial and federal governments want the North to stay populated and active, they need to step in when resources dry up.
Canada as a whole hardly needs a lift in the way the North does but Prime Minister Justin Trudeau doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 have a problem cranking the printing press of fresh dollar bills in an attempt to stimulate the nation.
If anyone in Canada needs a shot in the arm, itSA国际影视传媒檚 the North.
Though centralizing to Yellowknife may be efficient for the GNWT, perhaps government structure should be reconsidered and the focus should shift to breathing life into the communities.
Money has got to come here one way or another. Inuvik could regain some economic ground by becoming a true regional hub for the GNWT.
Arguably, the historic Dempster Highway access, unique geographical position and vast swaths of open land make this region more attractive to tourists than Yellowknife. As the Town of InuvikSA国际影视传媒檚 new tourism site states, Inuvik is truly Arctic. It is at once remote and accessible, mysterious and familiar, unique and Canadian.
Rather than the territory be Yellowknife and the rest, Inuvik should become a bigger player in the North and a focus of government investment.
Ultimately, economics trumps all. You can have the most beautiful piece of land in the world but if no one can afford living there, no one will if they don't have to.
The community puts a lot of focus into nurturing its youth but without opportunities all that investment is going to head south after they graduate.
