May 21, 1998
Baffin losing region's only driver-examiner
Baffin residents who want to upgrade their driving licences will have to wait until the GNWT finds a new driver-examiner.
Nunatsiaq News
IQALUIT - As of the end of this week, the Baffin regional office of the NWT's transportation department will be without a motor vehicle driver-examiner.
Gary Walsh, assistant director of safety and regulations, confirmed that the sole qualified examiner in the Baffin region was expected to quit her post on May 22.
No job tenders for the position have gone out yet, either.
"That's all being spearheaded by our regional office," Walsh said.
An experienced motor-vehicle driver examiner is not easy to find, Walsh added. At the very least, the regional office will need to find someone with at least a Class 3 drivers' license - ideally in combination with experience working with the public.
At least one would-be driver whose practical exam has been put on hold indefinitely as a result of the vacancy, criticized the GNWT this week for not having qualified staff in place.
"The government is very interested in trying to make employment available to people in town and the Baffin region, and yet they don't have any examiner for motor vehicles," the Iqaluit man lamented.
As the busy summer construction season gets underway and as work resumes on the DEW Line cleanup at Resolution Island, qualified heavy equipment operators are in demand.
"Where are the jobs going to come from? They're going to come from the South, because no one here will have the qualifications. Why? Because the government can't get their act together."
Drivers of water, sewage and fire trucks must also pass an air brakes test, and are supposed to possess a Class 3 drivers' license.
Walsh said the Transportation Department would make arrangements for motor vehicle driver-examiners to be brought in to the Baffin from time to time on a temporary basis, until the vacancy is filled.
"What we will do is parachute people in there periodically. What we'll do is have a schedule set up and we will have a person come over, maybe once a month.
"Whatever needs to be done, will be done."