Eskimos groan under safety rules as air cargo screening heads north

CANADIAN Eskimos are up in arms over new air security rules that have come into their lives on remove Baffin Island in the high Arctic where most everything depends on air freight except seal meat and fish.

"Will this make you safer travelling from Yellowknife to Inuvik? Iqaluit to Pond? Not at all? More money to security and more chances to screen all your personal effects. Never thought I would see such a pathetic day come!" said one of 41 angry comments posted at the end of the news report in the Nunatsiaq News Online.

The news is that Iqaluit (pop: 6,799) is now covered by Canada's Air Cargo Security Programme, which means non-registered shippers may see their cargo subjected to extra screening and searches, which entail extra costs. The airports at Yellowknife and Kuujjuaq are also affected.

If one is shipping cargo from an airport in the North in the New Year, and you're not a "registered shipper," expect longer waits and a more thorough search of your goods, said the report.

That's because the federal programme is kicking into gear in January to "help our economy and position Canada as a strong partner in global efforts against terrorism," said Transport Canada's website.

Representatives from Canadian North and First Air did not get back to Nunatsiaq News about how much this could cost unregistered shippers, said the report.

"How come Leona [Aglukkaq Nunavut's Conservative MP] not publicly taking credit for increased costs and time? Hahahaha! I wonder how this will affect shipment of country foods," said another emailed comment.

Said another: "The plan is working - first Nutrition North, now this where airline will severely increase the cost of anything you want to ship and inspect all your packages for the RCMP [Royal Canadian Mounted Police], of course.

One said: "Another process to benefit the retailers by making it as hard and as expensive as possible for you to buy goods at reasonable prices and ship them up due to increased 'security fees'. They use 'public safety' to cover this! Ridiculous!"

"What an absolute disgrace," said another. "Here we go again with the normal individual getting it in the @#@! Great companies can ship. but us poor folk will need to pick up all the extra cost - and you can be sure it will cost plenty.".

Yet another; "Don't kid yourself. Transport Canada and the feds covered themselves six ways from Sunday on this one under 'public safety'. They also count on small-minded people cheering the 'end to bootlegging to justify it! Even though it is supposed to be about terrorism!"

In Iqaluit, known locally and traditionally as Frobisher Bay, one can buy and drink alcohol at licensed establishments. But in other communities there is no local purchasing of alcohol unless it is for personal consumption with a permit from the local Alcohol Education Committee. All other areas are under a complete ban.